Inaugural Sustainability Index names Mersey duo as Premier League's best run clubs

13/02/2023 15comments  |  Jump to last

A new yardstick for governance in English football places Everton second only to Liverpool in a Sustainability Index that the group behind the idea hopes will be incorporated into the forthcoming changes in regulation of Premier League clubs.

Following the fan-led review into the ownership and running of domestic football clubs in the wake of the controversy over the European Super League proposal that exploded two years ago, the Government are expected to soon publish a white paper setting out the key recommendations for independent oversight of governance of clubs in the pyramid.

Separately, Fair Game, a campaign pushing for improved governance in football, has published its Sustainability Index, the result of 18 months of consultation with academics, accountants and analysts and the formulation of a table that grades clubs based on four metrics — financial sustainability, governance, fan engagement and equality standards.

Despite protests by Evertonians at the running of the club by Farhad Moshiri and his Board of Directors which has left the club sitting in the top flight's bottom three and the Blues' challenges staying within the Premier League's existing Profitability and Sustainability limits, Everton are ranked second in the Sustainability Index behind neighbours Liverpool.

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Whereas the reds score highly in terms of Fenway Sports Groups running of the Anfield club, Everton's ranking may have been boosted by the club's excellent work in the local community and its interface with supporters through bodies like the Fan Advisory Board; it's not clear, meanwhile, how far back Fair Game went in terms of accounts. Everton's efforts to remain compliant with P&S rules means they have a far better balance sheet than before if just the past couple of years are the basis for the analysis.

Nottingham Forest, who have spent the last two transfer windows acquiring over 30 players and whose wage bill now accounts for 200% of turnover, are ranked bottom; Bournemouth and Newcastle round out of the bottom three. 

» Read the full article at The Athletic [£]

Reader Comments (15)

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Brian Hennessy
1 Posted 13/02/2023 at 19:52:44
I see this news has left us all speechless, me included.
Brian Cleveland
3 Posted 14/02/2023 at 03:51:41
Is it April 1st?
John Pickles
4 Posted 14/02/2023 at 09:33:36
Everton's efforts to remain compliant with P&S rules means they have a far better balance sheet than before if just the past couple of years are the basis for the analysis.

The White Star Lines safety record was remarkably improved the year after the loss of the Titanic.

Paul Birmingham
6 Posted 14/02/2023 at 21:42:55
Superb, analogy John.
Gerry Morrison
7 Posted 15/02/2023 at 19:52:36
More Jabberwocky as we continue to live through the looking glass.
Nick Page
8 Posted 15/02/2023 at 20:06:57
Aaaaahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Ahahhhahahahahaha

Absolutely on the floor 😂

Graham Fylde
9 Posted 15/02/2023 at 20:50:49
The Index on their site seems to indicate we're 6th rather than 2nd?
Joe McMahon
10 Posted 15/02/2023 at 21:00:47
I'm gonna file this under "Good Times", along with the Magnificent 7th DVD, and the 2008 FA Cup Semi-final win v Man Utd reserves on penalties!
Steve Little
11 Posted 16/02/2023 at 09:46:14
I knew the board weren't as bad as everyone keeps saying.
As long as we have people there who know the club, we will avoid situations like the Glazers or those two clowns who used to be at Anfield.

The grass always seems greener on the other side until you get there and realise that it isn't actually grass but some kind of radioactive nuclear wasteland.

Nick Page
12 Posted 16/02/2023 at 09:53:07
Hahaha Steve - “not as bad as everyone says”…very funny!!!
Sam Barrett
13 Posted 16/02/2023 at 10:27:54
Bill must certainly have friends in high places to get them to release this shoite
Nick Page
14 Posted 16/02/2023 at 11:56:49
Sam, whoever wrote the article is an idiot because sustainability is not having 96% of your revenues tied up in player contracts. We all know Bill and Co are the kings of PL virtue signalling with EiTC and all that, which is fine but it's not what the fans pay money for not what they expect. Everything else is “additional” on top of football strategy on/off the pitch. The club in its current state is unsustainable and if people can't see that then they're either halfwits or completely delusional. We're in the bottom three AGAIN and couldn't even afford to buy a striker after selling - YET AGAIN - one of our most promising youngsters. It's pathetically run.
Jerome Shields
15 Posted 16/02/2023 at 21:55:21
This must be to do with levels of compliance and the effort by the Club to follow Premiership League Profits and Sustainability Rules.It would be correct if that is the case, since Everton have worked closely with the Profit and Sustainability people of the Premier League and do what they required over this last three years.
Brendan McLaughlin
16 Posted 16/02/2023 at 22:11:34
Diplomatic Jerome #15

I see the P&S Committee has been downgraded somewhat!

How's your son doing?

Paul Kossoff
17 Posted 18/02/2023 at 14:08:32
Aston Villa led twice against Arsenal', now 2 2 and we have them next.

Villa running Arsenal's defense ragged, just hit the bar. Should be 4-4. What will Dyche do to counter Villa's pace?

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