The 92 The Championship Flashcards
Portsmouth FC
Nickname - Pompey.
Location - Coast, SW of London via Winchester. Close to Bournemouth.
Ground - Fratton Park. ‘Partick Thistle’ main stand. Long low double across, long low behind and covered to other end. 20,899.
Manager - John Mousinho. Oxford player. Badges. Chair of PFA. See below.
Owner - Michael Eisner. Purchased stake from Supporters Trust. Disney CEO 1984-2005.
Last years - 6 years L1, 4 years L2, PREM 6 years,
“When John Mousinho was announced as the new Portsmouth Head Coach in January 2023, it’s fair to say eyebrows might have been raised.
Still a registered player with Oxford United and just 66 days after playing his last professional game for the U’s, the former defender – who had never taken charge of a senior game of football before – called time on his playing career to head to the south coast.
“It’s fair to say it was a left-field appointment from the Club,” Mousinho himself admits. “I literally hung up my boots there and went to pursue this opportunity.” One of the last two teams to have maintained an unbeaten record in England’s top four divisions this season. there’s no doubt that Mousinho has convinced everyone that he is the right man for the job.
Almost 12 months on from his appointment, it is certainly looking like an inspired decision. Mousinho started his coaching badges early to allow for a smoother transition into management.
During his time at Oxford, Karl Robinson would include him in coaching sessions, recruitment meetings, team selections and various staff dealings, including interaction with the Board, to allow for as full a picture as possible of the trials and tribulations of football management.”
Derby County
Nickname - The Rams.
Location - S of Sheffield, N of Birmingham.
Ground - Pride Park. Perfect square with main stand elevation. 3-tiered main stand. 33.597
Manager - Paul Warne. Rotherham,3 promotions, 3 regulation 2016 -2022. Derby County. Player - Rotherham, Oldham, other.
Owner - David Clowes. £55m investment to save and turnaround the club. Bought from Mel Morris. Nationwide real estate development.
Last years - L1 2 years (Promoted). Prior 15 years CH, 1 season in PREM.
“Derby County owner David Clowes says he is open to new investors coming into the club to help fund the Rams’ aspirations of returning to the Premier League.
The Derbyshire property developer spent £55m to take the club out of administration in the summer of 2022.
Clowes bankrolled the rebuild of the club in League One and return to the Championship as third-tier runners-up last season.
He says the East Midlands side are debt-free and have “a great platform to work from” with “a good Championship budget”.
“I’m really excited about the future at Derby,” Clowes told BBC Radio Derby.
“We wouldn’t turn down investment if we go down that route, obviously. At the end of the day it’s not about me, it’s about what’s best for Derby County Football Club.
“It would certainly help us going forward. If our aim is to get out of the Championship and get into the Premier League, then yeah, why not?
“We have to aim as high as we possibly can.””
Oxford United
Nickname - The U’s
Location - W, NW of London, beyond Slough, halfway to Gloucester.
Ground - The Kassam Stadium. 3-sided stadium with fourth side open! Car park. Yellow and blue seating. Nicely sized with exception of open side.
Manager - Des Buckingham. Nov 2023. Youth football. New Zealand. Australia. India. Oxford United.
Owner - Indonesian/Thai ownership group.
Last years - L1 8 years (Promoted) Prior 6 years L2, NL 2007/2010.
“Buckingham has absorbed different cultures. Having started coaching in Oxford United’s academy 22 years ago, he managed in Australia and New Zealand before going to Mumbai. Travel, Oxford’s new manager says, has made him a better person and “hopefully a more rounded coach”.”
Burnley
Nickname - The Clarets.
Location - N Manchester, E Bradford/Leeds, Preston.
Ground - Turf Moor. Squared, poled side and back, double tiered back and smaller Partick final side. CH. 21,944.
Manager - Scott Parker. Fulham x2. Fulham. Bournemouth, Fulham, Club Brugge, Bournemouth.
Owner - Alan Pace. Investment banking. Highly leveraged. Much criticism. Debt re-financed. Sales and Kompany.
Last years - 8 of last 14 years in PREM. CH up/down.
“A huge gamble with other peoples money that appears to have paid off. “
Sheffield United
Nickname - The Blades.
Location - S of Leeds, E of Manchester.
Ground - Bramhall Lane. City, all enclosed. Steep, high sides.
Manager - Chris Wilder. 4 smaller, Sheffield United. Middlesbrough, Watford, Sheffield United.
Owner - Prince Abdullah.
Last years - PREM 23/24, 19-21, 2006, others CH and L1.
“The American consortium attempting to buy Sheffield United have submitted their plans to the EFL for official checks before their takeover at Bramall Lane.
Negotiations have progressed between the Silicon Valley-based private investors and Sheffield United owner Prince Abdullah over a sale worth more than £100 million for the club relegated from the Premier League last season. The capital investment fund were interested in Sheffield United a year ago but a deal was not completed, with the takeover revived following relegation from the top-flight.”
Luton Town
Nickname - The Hatters.
Location - N of London.
Ground - Kenilworth Road. Odds / Straight x 2. Glass. Back garden entrance. 12,056.
Manager - Rob Edwards. Wolves (Interim), Telford, England U16, FGR, Watford, Luton Town. Player - Wolves, Blackpool.
Consortium / Paul Ballantyne. Worth £25m. Fan involvement.
Last years - NL 2013-14. L2 > PREM over 10 years 4/1/4/PREM
“Clubs like Luton, run by the fans for the fans, can still compete in the top league in the world without a foreign ‘benefactor’. Through adversity and hard work by dedicated fans, Luton have fought their way back through the divisions without spending millions on players, building a sustainable football club. And no betting firms go on our shirts. We aim to win this league and change the way football is run, not just be a small part of it. Viva la Revolution.”
Blackburn Rovers
Nickname - The Rovers
Location - Between Preston and Burnley.
Ground - Ewood Park. 3-sided cantilever. Lower 4th side. PREM / CH. 31,367.
Manager - John Eustace. Kidderminster. Assistant Stephen Kenny, QPR (Caretaker) Birmingham. (Rooney).
Owners - Venkys. See below.
Last years - 2024-2011 CH, (2017 L1), PREM 2009-2001, Prem 1992-1999.
Blackburn Rovers fans were audibly heard chanting “We want Venkys out” in the early stages of the match.
Shortly after, in the 14th minute, Blackburn fans threw a small amount of tennis balls on the pitch resulting in the game momentarily stopping. The Blackburn fans threw tennis balls on the pitch in the 14th minute as it has been 14 years since the Venky’s purchased a 99.9% stake in the club. When the Indian company bought the club, Blackburn were in the Premier League, however, since then the club have declined. The Lancashire club currently sit 16th in the Championship.”
“Blackburn Rovers set to pay their women’s players just £9,000-a-year salaries next season with owners Venky’s under investigation in India over a tax dispute. Blackburn’s women’s players are set to receive just £9,000-a-year next season. The club are struggling financially and will play players the UK minimum wage
Their owners are also under investigation in India over a tax dispute.”
Bristol City
Nickname - The Robins.
Location - Bristol, West Country.
Ground - Ashton Gate. Large main stand PREM, Slightly lower opposite and one end, Lower fourth. Impressive stadium CH / PREM.
Manager - Liam Manning. West ham U23, Lommel (Belgium), MKD, Oxford United, Bristol City
Owner - Steve Lansdown. Financial services, Lansdown and Hargreaves. £2.7m.
Last years - CH last 8 years, 2 x L1 and CH previous 10 years.
“Bristol City majority owner Steve Lansdown has injected £13million into the club via the allotment of shares, as has become the norm for the Guernsey-based billionaire around this time of the year.”
“he £13m is the lowest amount since 2019, with £78m invested through the same method over the last five years. That alone is reason to suggest the Robins are on a far more stable financial footing than in previous years where they have been in danger of breaching the EFL’s Profit and Sustainability rules.
The exact reason for the investment is unknown but it could be to help alleviate the club’s debt which stood at £96m as per the last published accounts, albeit with £90m owed to Lansdown’s own Pula Sports Ltd, or to help fund player sales for this transfer window ahead, or simply to assist with the general operational running of the football club as losses for 2022/23 stood at £22.2m. It does once again reiterate Lansdown’s financial commitment to City as the Bristolian takes an increasing back seat in terms of the general day-to-day running of the club. The 71-year-old wasn’t involved in the hiring of head coach Liam Manning in November, with that task placed in the hands of technical director Brian Tinnion and chairman Jon Lansdown.”
“City have, in effect, been “up for sale” for several years with the Lansdown’s seeking new partners to take the club forward or even potentially sanction a full takeover, should the terms be agreeable. But despite discussions with various parties, and a number of other Championship clubs changing ownership post-Covid, nothing has materialised with City’s chairman indicating nothing is imminent on that front.”
Cardiff City
Nickname - The Bluebirds.
Location - S coast of Wales, E of Swansea, Close Newport.
Ground - Cardiff City Stadium. Fully enclosed 4-sided with elevated main roof. 2/3 SOL. 33,316.
Manager - Erol Bulut.
Türkiye, 4 clubs. Cardiff City.
Owner - Vincent Tan.
Last Years - 20 years CH, 2018-19 and 2013-14 PREM, 1 season each.
“Hopefully Cardiff owner Vincent Tan, who had the vision to agree to the left-field appointment of Bulut in the first place rather than same old, same names Championship manager merry-go-round, will also come to the conclusion that this work in progress needs to be seen through. In the eyes of many he has made fundamental errors this season, mistakes which have led to quite a few fans, as well as Tan it would appear, being completely torn on whether it’s best to keep him, or let him depart. Ultra negative football, an insistence upon two defensive midfielders against weaker opposition at home, poor use of his more creative options, picking players who are leaving this summer rather than giving a proper go to talented youngsters who are the future of the club. Those are just a few of them.”
Coventry City
Nickname - The Sky Blues.
Location - Between Birmingham and Leicester.
Ground - The Building Society Arena. Circular, identical stands and sides, compact. 32,609.
Manager - Mark Robins. Coventry x 2. Rotherham. Barnsley, Huddersfield, Scunthorpe. Player - Man U, Norwich, Leicester.
Doug King - Yelo. Fresh start. No debt.
Last years - Last 5 CH, Previous 8 L1, L2 17/18, CH 7 before.
“Our goal is to reach the Premier League in a sustainable way, improving the operating performance of the Club each year. We will also upgrade our facilities that have been neglected for too long and must reflect our new ambitions.” Coventry published the following on their club website: At the point of acquisition of 100% of the Club in late January 2023, outstanding club debt was converted into equity leaving the Club debt free at that point. This restructure ensured that the Club avoided incurring significant interest and management charges as Doug King confirmed that future funding would be free of interest. This move significantly improves the long term financial strength and sustainability of the Club.”
Leeds United
Nickname - The Whites.
Location - SE of York. North of Manchester and Sheffield. S of Darlington.
Ground - Elland Road. One large ‘Villa’ Stand, 1 SOL roof, 2 x standard. Yellow blue pieces, yellow blue poles. 37,890
Manager - Daniel Farke.
Owners - 49ers Enterprises.
Last years - CH, PREM 3 years, Previous 10 CH, PREM 1993-2004.
“On taking control at Elland Road, 49er Enterprises split itself into two sections, general partners and limited partners. The US firm’s mission statement is to exploit business and investment opportunities for the San Francisco 49ers NFL franchise.”
“The Hollywood actor Will Ferrell has enhanced Leeds United’s newfound status as something of a celebrity magnet by becoming the latest household name to invest in the West Yorkshire football club. Leeds are struggling to escape English football’s second tier, the Championship, but that has not deterred Ferrell, the star of Elf and Anchorman among other films, from joining his fellow actor Russell Crowe, the leading golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas and the Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps in signing up as a minority investor at Elland Road.”
Hull City
Nickname - The Tigers.
Location - Hull, Humberside.
Ground - MKM stadium. Out of town, complete circle, raised in middle, @B&Q frontage, neat. 25.586
Manager - Tim Walter, German, Bayern II, Kiel, Stuttgart, Hamburg. Hull City. Amateur footballer.
Owner - Ali Acuna Llicala, Turkish ‘Simon Cowell’. Let Liam Rosenior go. “Conflict of opinions”
Prior years - CH / L1 last 7 years, PREM, CH before, L1/L2 before.
“Speaking to talkSPORT on Wednesday morning, Ilicali expressed his desire for a more offensive approach to the game. He said via Hull Live : “When you have a difference of thinking from the coach’s side and the ownership and the football mind of the team, it is not good for the team to go for a long-term journey. Liam is a fantastic guy and a very good coach. I think he’s such a nice person but at the end of the day, we have to decide what is best for the club.
Despite Hull netting 14 goals in their final seven matches of the season, Ilicali still wants a more forward-thinking style of play. He added: “Liam has a football philosophy, which I completely respect. But the football I want to see in my team is not the football style like Liam is playing.”
Norwich City
Nickname - The Canaries.
Location - NE Norfolk centre and all to self. N of Ipswich and Colchester. Peterborough and Cambridge closest far to west.
Ground - Carrow Road. 3-sided symmetrical. Pylons. Green and yellow seating. 27,359.
Manager - Johannes Hoff Thorpe. Danish. 35 year old. Assistant to manager. Successful two years.
Owner - Delia Smith.
Last years - Previous 10 up/down CH and PREM
“I hope that we can create something together, it’s so important that they are proud of the team.
“I have my ideas and I have my principles in the way that we are going to play, but I am also here to listen to some of the good stuff that has already been done. “I have to make sure that I am very clear that this is something that we do together and everyone has to have that feeling.” After taking over at Nordsjaelland, Thorup guided them to a second-place finish in 2022-23 to earn a spot in the qualifying rounds of the Europa Conference League. And in his first full season in charge this term, he took the club to the group stage of the European competition and oversaw a fourth-place finish in the Danish Superliga table.
Owner - Delia Smith. Supporters are split as to whether wealthier owners should be sought. Opinion on Smith mixed at best.
What you’ll find is a positively bristling Delia who had been clearly rattled by some of the matters raised at the AGM, and whose response was to come out swinging punches in the direction of those who are unhappy – the whinging supporters. It appears the so-called “20 percent” are, at least in part, responsible for the negative mood, which according to Delia, is having an adverse effect on the players who would, minus the pervading negativity, presumably be quite brilliant.
Millwall
Nickname - The Lions.
Location - Bermondsey, SE London.
Ground - The Den. 4 independent square. Blue/Yellow. CH / Prem. Distinct squares outside. Rail line. 20,146.
Manager - Neil Harris. Millwall, Cardiff, Gillingham, Cambridge, Millwall. Player Millwall 380 games,
Owner - James Berylson, son of John, Harvard, Venture Capital.
Last years - CH 14 years with 2 years 15-16 in L1.
Former England, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur star Teddy Sheringham believes that Millwall manager Neil Harris is the right man to take the club forward Harris, 46, returned for a third stint as Lions boss in February, and was tasked with keeping the Den outfit in the Championship, a test he passed with flying colours as his side finished 13th. Prior to his Lions return, the manager endured tough spells at Gillingham, where he was relegated to League Two in 2022, and Cambridge United, where he maintained a win percentage of just 36% (FotMob), which could lead some to question his managerial credentials of late.
However, Harris is a hero at the Den, who guided the side to promotion from League One in 2017 via a 1-0 play-off final win over Bradford City. “I have full trust in Harris, and he is the right man for Millwall. “He did a top job first time around with a tight budget, and he can once again get it right for Millwall.” He knows the place well, and it was hard to see him leave the first time around, but he can lead Millwall to good things again.”
Middlesbrough
Nickname - The Boro.
Location - Teesside.
Ground - The Riverside. Smaller PREM ‘OT’. Fully pylon. Symmetrical. 34,742.
Manager - Michael Carrick. Middlesbrough 2022. Man U Caretaker. Player - West Ham, Man u 316.
Owner - Steve Gibson. Global transportation. £1,000 start=up. Lifelong fan. Attended as a kid with Chris Kamara.
Last years - CH 14 years, Prem 10 years before.
Don Goodman believes Middlesbrough are a mystery heading into the new Championship, tipping them as one of the sides who could surprise people by taking advantage of a weaker division to win promotion to the Premier League. Michael Carrick has made clear his ambitions to challenge for promotion next term after Boro ended a tough campaign last time around in strong form. It resulted in an eight-placed finish despite the many challenges and offers much hope heading into the new campaign. While Boro will be once again trying to bridge the gap that the Premier League parachute payments create in offering select clubs much bigger resources, there is a growing feeling on Teesside that something special is building ahead of the season opener against Swansea City. sked his feelings on Boro’s promotion chances, EFL pundit Goodman told Teesside Live via OLBG: “Consistency is key for Middlesbrough. Look at the way they finished last season, winning seven, drawing four and losing one, which was that incredible home game against Leeds. 25 points from 12 games is promotion-winning form. To highlight inconsistency though, in the 12 games before that they only won four, drawing six and losing two. “With every passing season, Michael Carrick’s experience becomes more valuable. He’s made mistakes and will continue to do so but he’ll also have learned from those mistakes. He knows this league now, having only played and coached at the top before joining Boro, and the Championship will no longer be a culture shock to him, he’ll know what it takes to win promotion.
