Administration has been big news in the football world over the past few months, with Portsmouth, Port Vale and Rangers all grabbing the headlines for the wrong reasons as they struggle with debts and overspending.
But the clubs' difficulties could present new opportunities for those looking to buy businesses in administration. With this in mind, the widespread financial distress recently uncovered in professional football clubs might not be all bad news.
Corporate recovery specialists Begbies Traynor revealed that 13 of the 68 English Football League clubs currently playing in the Championship and divisions one and two of the Football League are displaying signs of corporate distress, which is indicative of poor financial health.
When this is compared to the country as a whole the figures are even more remarkable, with 19 per cent of the football clubs surveyed flagged as being in financial ill health compared to just one per cent of all UK businesses.
Gerald Krasner, a partner at Begbies Traynor, remarked that this clearly shows the football sector is facing "a very challenging time commercially" as clubs are "continuing to spend too much, principally on players' wages, as they always have done".
We've been following the administration of Rangers Football Club in particular, as the firm's future hangs in the balance. The latest news is the closure of bidding, which was confirmed as today (April 5th).
As with all businesses, the administration process can be long-winded. But there is an added pressure with football clubs to tie things up before the end of the season, while passionate views from fans can also make for a rather unusual business experience! 
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Opportunity to acquire the business and assets of a beverage retailer with stores across England. Offers by: 2 December 2024.
Opportunity to acquire a privately owned Company founded over 40 years ago, operating as one of the leading developers of exceptional residential homes in prime areas of London and Southern England. Offers by 5 December 2024.
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