ABSTRACT
As recently as October 1986 the objectives of the professional clubs in the Football League were described as being ‘generally thought to be utility rather than profit orientated’ (Arnold, Benveniste and Collier, 1986). Davies (1995) accused Manchester United and other top clubs of “ignoring the community and abandoning sport to the relentless pursuit of profit’. Davies went on to suggest that;
“In just 20 years, money has taken over completely in football, dominating all decisions, corrupting and perverting traditional values. Manchester United, with its great history and inspiring legends, has grown cynical and arrogant in its mad pursuit of money, assuming that the feelings and loyalties of its hard-core fans hardly matter any more. They are in danger of cutting themselves off from their own roots and losing their soul.”
(Davies, 1995).