American Money Goes Into English Soccer Team, No Riots Ensue

American ownership in English soccer clubs is big business these days.

The Glazers (or some bank the Glazers are cozy with) own Manchester United. John Henry and friends just bought Liverpool from Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who were run out of town quicker than “Paperback Writer.” Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner owns Aston Villa. You get the idea.

These are some of the largest and most storied clubs in England.

Ever hear of the Bedlington Terriers? Didn’t think so. Well, they are the latest to receive an infusion of American coin.

I ran across a good read in the New York Times this weekend about aptly named Buffalo billionaire Bob Rich, he of the frozen food hierarchy, and his involvement with the small club, which currently plays in England’s ninth division and is filled with teachers, plumbers and pub frequenters.

The Premier League, this isn’t.

“At a match last Wednesday, which drew 63 paying customers, the team’s accountant operated the public-address system and handed out sofa cushions to supporters in the tiny grandstand.

A halftime raffle awarded a bottle of wine to one winner and a box of chocolates to the other. About the only connection to big-time soccer at Welfare Park was a sign at the box office that warned, “No vuvuzelas allowed.”

‘We want to help them help themselves,’ Mr. Rich said. ‘We can’t get into an arms race, but we can help them improve amenities and help them with their field so a guy won’t turn his ankle in a mud patch and help them so they’re not scrapping to make a payroll.’”

Rich, who became Lord of Bedlington as a Christmas gift from his wife (don’t just love the ways rich people spend money), hasn’t bought the team. Instead he’s bought a $16,000 sponsorship deal, featuring on the team’s jersey, and promised a brand new scoreboard, which will run him around $50,000.

If you have the time, I recommend the read.

Buffalo Bills fan: What the f@*k!? Want to help us out you Swanson wannabe?