Fans the first line of defence against errant owners. West Brom show that.
Plus Foden's pursuit of excellence and Trippier's importance to England. On the left.
Early yesterday evening, I sat in the Exmouth Arms next to the HS2 building site at London Euston, talking with campaigning West Bromwich Albion fan Ali Jones about the dangers of individuals like Guochuan Lai, who he helped oust as club owner. Our meeting point was appropriate as Jones is convinced that Chinese interest in HS2 construction in the West Midlands lay behind Lai’s decision to buy the Albion in 2016. Concerned about Lai’s distant, damaging ownership, Jones set up Action4Albion, organised peaceful protests and marches, took the campaign to Downing Street, and eventually Lai was bought out by Shilen Patel, an American entrepreneur.
“If you can get an identikit of a perfect owner it is Mr Patel,” Jones said. “He’s engaging, committed and passionate about the future of our club. He’s very philanthropical. He’s keen on investing in the community. He cares about the club. He comes to games. This football club has more unity now.” It was sinking fast under Lai amidst questions over whether he had any money and what his motives were. “In 2016, all of the three clubs were Chinese-owned,” Jones said. “I think that was to do with HS2.” The motives of Carson Yeung and then the mysterious Trillion Trophy Asia (Birmingham City) and Tony Xia (Aston Villa) are impossible to confirm but, like the Albion, all the clubs are certainly now in far better hands with Patel at Albion, Tom Wagner and Knighthead at Blues, despite their naïve dismissal of John Eustace and subsequent relegation, and Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens at buoyant Villa.