Cherries in the Red: How One Football Fan Saved His Club and Became Its Chairman

(, New edition)

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Description

A lifelong fan of Bournemouth, lawyer Trevor Watkins was horrified when it was announced at the beginning of 1997 that the club was 5 million in debt and that the board felt the club was bound to go under. Unlike sugar daddies Jack Walker and Mohammed al Fayed, Watkins had no money to pour into the club but he had his legal expertise and was able to draw together the local community in the rescue of the club. He became the figurehead of the operation to save the Cherries from the receivers, turning it into the first community-owned club in Europe and making it profitable once more. Taking the story to the start of the 1999-2000 season, this is a remarkable tale that shows one way ahead for endangered football clubs.

Reviews

This is a valuable book, a unique perspective and...a great story - When Saturday Comes

Sweet tale of Bournemouth's fairytale rescue - Total Sport

A fascinating read ... [Watkins] seems such a good bloke...that you rapidly find yourself cheering his every move. And it's got a happy ending - Total Football

Author Bio

Trevor Watkins is a partner in a prominent firm of solicitors, and the youngest chairman of any of the 92 professional clubs in England. His expertise is regularly sought by other clubs in financial trouble.