Why The World's Richest Football Club Is In Crisis

Forget Manchester City, PSG, and Newcastle United's Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Saudi Arabian ownership regimes - could it really be that Championship strugglers West Bromwich Albion are the richest club in world football?
Recent reports suggest that the largest individual shareholder at West Brom is the People's Republic of China - the second largest economy on Earth - yet the Baggies are currently mired in debt and crisis, and have been on a downward spiral ever since their Chinese takeover in 2016.
So in this documentary, HITC Sevens takes a deep dive into West Brom's complex ownership structure, the mysterious figure of Guochuan Lai, and why the club faces a serious fight for its future.

[@averagewelsh12]

As an Albion fan, thank you for making this video and highlighting the club’s staggering issues, it’s heartbreaking to see such a slow death.

[@nicholastricarico2957]

Quite the shame, too, as they're a bit of a sleeping giant in the English game.

[@TheMestarit]

Could be worse, could be a reading fan I’m unsure if we will be operating everyone running the club left and we’re in 200m debt

[@anonymoose4161]

But Brighton doesn’t have staggering issues?

[@BaggieSnave93]

@@anonymoose4161Tinpot Brighton have no right to call themselves Albion.

[@anonymoose4161]

What’s tinpot about 6th place? Better than any finish your club has done

[@shanebeaumont3215]

Very impressed with the research you have done on this Alfie, it's shocking that none of the media have reported on this despite all of the protests of our club. Thank you for shining a light on our predicament

[@nigeh5326]

The national media only care about Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs. Football is not about the game it’s just about the money now 😔

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Time Crisis Horny Sex

[@depekthegreat359]

@@nigeh5326 Don't forget to add Chelsea as but mostly,the national media only care more of the fake big clubs of more than fourteen which are of course,Chelsea and Manchester City and on his behalf,I did respond,good friend!!!🏋‍♂️

[@kal77uk]

WBA are a badly run team so why would the media report on it. Its not like the players didnt accept the Chinese cash or the fans didnt realise they had a Chinese oligarch owner.

[@KingofWolves3277]

@@nigeh5326 can't wait for Luton to change that!

[@KirbyBackwards]

Banger video once again mate, it's honestly unbelieveable you're not a bigger channel with how much research and effort you put in

[@arrowhasautism9953]

Sadly. Its because he doesn't shout all the time like all the other football youtubers

[@thedethrocker8858]

I absolutely agree...he should just feck off and make his own channel with the same style and presentation...but I'm guessing we don't know all the dealings behind the scenes...the dude off the original HITC is fucking unbearable

[@timlamiam]

he has over 500k subs, that's already damn impressive.

[@KirbyBackwards]

@@timlamiam Yes mate its certainly no small feat, Just mean with the amount of eyes on football content probably a few more of them should be over here

[@grantsnelson3303]

I’m an American who got into football in late 2020. I wanted a club to support but couldn’t get into any of the big 6 clubs, felt like a bandwagoner. Traced back family lines to brierley hill so I became a baggies fan. Tough time to pick up being a fan of them, but now I am obsessed with the club. Hoping for the best in the future but certainly expecting the worst

[@alterbridgegod]

You made a good choice. Great club

[@indiekiddrugpatrol3117]

May not be great right now but they're one of the pioneers of English football, proper historic club with a proper working class fanbase.

[@carllondonnuman7604]

Where you from in the US mate?

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

Good on you for being a proper football fan who doesn't just pick a glamour club to support

[@grantsnelson3303]

@@carllondonnuman7604 Charlotte, NC. The South

[@spacebory]

It’s scary to be a baggies fan at the minute. Disgraceful how the FA and EFL have allowed situations like this to occur time and time again

[@twilliamspro]

Birmingham are in similar Issues hope you guys find new owners Like we seem to be

[@whakjob]

from one Albion to another, Enjoy Sarmiento ( PS - Brightonion here )

[@lorddarlo6194]

​@@twilliamsproYou got took over we have no clue what the fuck is happening to us

[@danielsaunders8068]

As an Aussie whom is 50yrs old now and became a WBA fan at 8yrs old. Because of an English kid that moved to Australia. We became best friends and because Paul was a Baggies fan I became one. It's so disappointing to see whats happening to our beloved club.

[@astralplainer]

Not a Baggie, but a 45-year English football fan. I remember them in the old First Division during 'The 3 degrees' era. It's disgusting how the rot has set in. These clubs need to be protected, not destroyed by shady foreign gangsters laundering their dodgy cash at the expense of loyal supporters. Come on FA sort it out!

[@paulvinten7672]

This sounds like Portsmouth Version 2 and football still won't sort out it's regulations As a Pompey fan, I'm gutted for baggies, they've got a great fanbase.

[@soundscape26]

And this is why the Bundesliga system of club ownership will always be the best despite cases like RB Leipzig.

[@wesleyankomah4361]

That’s why Bayern wins the league every year 🤣

[@timujin1000]

@@wesleyankomah4361 City???

[@maciejbala477]

at least RB Leipzig aren't looking to ruin the club, they just pumped a lot of money into it and are treating the fans like shit compared to other BL clubs

[@ColinS89]

@@timujin1000 City have won the league 3 years in a row, and now it’s looking like Newcastle will be a legit contender (in addition to the other usual suspects like Arsenal, United, Liverpool, etc). Meanwhile, Bayern have won the league for a decade straight. It’s no comparison.

[@soundscape26]

@@wesleyankomah4361 And that's because of the clubs' ownership system and the 50+1 rule?

[@benmartin7708]

Albion fan from birth from an Albion supporting family going way back this club is in my blood and it’s heartbreaking and devastating our club could really disappear. Excellent video Alfie and we need more coverage as this could happen to any club without proper regulation the fit and proper person test is a joke and football is being used to allow corrupt individuals or groups to take advantage. Villa also was in this predicament before nswe took over and Pompey was also in this boat. One things you missed in the video was another loan taken out by Jeremy peace which we have no idea what it was for that yunyi promised to pay when they bought the club this is also outstanding. The action 4 Albion also wanted this investigated because it is alleged peace used this money to actually increase his shareholding to sell the club. Peace although he ran a tight ship his legacy is tainted with all this and this is after he promised he would only sell to those he knew would look after the best interests of the club in reality he took the overinflated price and ran.

[@jespertheilmannjensen3822]

To be honest I don't know whether Jeremy Peace got greedy, or whether he genuinely believed the promises made by Guochuan Lai. Either way the Throstles are suffering, and I fear that the worst is yet to come.

[@Chaos-co1iv]

this is heartbreaking to watch, even as a villa fan. yes im not a fan of the baggies one bit but seeing a historical founding club get destroyed by rich greedy uncaring owners is terrible. it also makes me as a villa fan feel very blessed as this easily could have been us. hopefully this situation gets resolved with minimal damage to club any further.

[@connorlee5873]

Who bought villa out from the Chinese

[@TheWithlings]

Hey Alfie, great video as always. I had no idea it was so bad at WBA, gotta feel for the fans. You touched upon Birmingham being owned by Carson Yeung in this video who was infamously in prison for money laundering whilst still owning the club. I'd love you to do a deep dive into the shenanigans that have gone on there ever since the league cup win in 2011 - as they've managed to avoid League 1 forever (so it seems) I don't think the situation there has ever had much attention outside of the Midlands. Thanks and keep up the good work 👍

[@nigeh5326]

I’m a Baggies fan and can remember Blues having financial issues way back in the 80s. They have always wanted to match the Villa but never had the money, the history or the stadium to do it.

[@Dan_Gilpin]

100% agree, would definitely like to see Alfie comb through our mess too, have messaged him a few times to see if it can be done!

[@hudson7354]

@@Dan_Gilpinwhy ? Daniel Ivery has done the business and tomorrow is our Birthday

[@EmuGamesMaster]

How times change in a short space of time… KRO

[@TheWithlings]

@@hudson7354 would just be good to get another perspective and from someone outside the blues community. Also with what's just happened it'll be nice watch it through on YT and think thanks f*ck that's over 😂

[@123Metalguru]

Thank you for covering this Alfie- the state of West Brom has been ignored by a lot of people for a long time. Excellent video

[@nilsoskar]

Thank you for making this video, as an Albion fan it’s a scary time when we used to be so good with our money, everything looks very dire if we fail to go up next season…

[@bababababababa6124]

You only barely missed the playoffs last season tbf, next season you might be there

[@al1ex916]

@@bababababababa6124some very good teams in the championship next season. Gonna be very difficult for them to get playoffs with some very well run clubs around

[@bababababababa6124]

@@al1ex916yeah Leicester Southampton Leeds Middlesbrough Coventry and a few others won’t make it easy, but I feel a 6th or 7th place finish for them idk why 😂

[@pincermovement72]

We won’t get promoted the teams that will come down will be too strong .

[@nilsoskar]

@@pincermovement72 agree mate not looking great

[@joeosborne-ellis9288]

Thank you for making this video, as a life long albion fan this is the worst time the club has had in my lifetime and yet there has been such limited coverage about the terrible state of affairs.

[@jackninetynine5036]

People only wake up when clubs are on the brink Of disappearing like Bolton & derby were. Even some of our fans are still burying their heads under the sand

[@jackninetynine5036]

@Donald Duck 2000 what an irrelevant point

[@vespachez]

As a baggies fan this helps us all understand more. Thank you Alfie. We can only hope 💙

[@HDxvies]

Honestly thank you so much for this video! As an Albion fan it’s great to see that we’re being spoken about in the public, we’re in crisis and don’t even know our future. It is looking likely day by day that if we don’t get new owners that we could be in liquidation and the club dissolved. I pray this doesn’t happen as I wouldn’t know what to do if my club dissolved, just hope that this gets sorted out in the near future. We’re one of the founders members of the football league we deserve better than this! This takeover should never of been approved dodgy since day 1! COYB💙

[@Lordouison]

Embarrassing really with the money involved in football now. All those previous parachute payments and cant even make play offs

[@HDxvies]

@@Lordouison Yes as no investment in the squad has happened since Lai owned the club 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@manning0]

It's criminal how these owners are sucking the life out of football clubs like parasites, but at least there's people like you Alfie, bring light to these scandalous proceedings.

[@jakenh8264]

There will be no punishment for these criminals.

[@skp8748]

Yanks do the same but at least keep the operable... seems like only arabs are to be trusted

[@TDBTylerable]

As an outsider looking in this whole situation is truly devastating and I hope this gets resolved for the fans... I just can't see how. I'm getting really sick of new owners coming in and using clubs as playthings, tons of wealth yet dubious financial shenanigans and absolutely no clue how to organise things what-so-ever. It's additionally sickening that it's also happening to clubs that have been around since the late 1800s... (stares at my local club Reading for another example), hopefully I'm not sounding too hyperbolic when I say that's literally history and ought to be protected, no matter who you support. Great video Alfie, well made, truly spells out the mess that I hope WBA can get away from intact!

[@Macho_Fantastico]

I'm glad you covered the Baggies, a friend of mine (Baggies fan) explained how strange their ownership is and I had no idea.

[@richiesimons4403]

Thank you so much Alfie for putting this video out. As I am a West Bromwich Albion fan, our plight needs to be told. It's a real shitstorm of immeasurable proportions. Our once great club is in serious danger of following the likes of Bury and Chester. We hope against hope someone, decent and proper will buy the club. Otherwise Administration, transfer embargos and points deductions will follow. It's as infuriating as it is heart breaking. Thank you again for sharing our plight.

[@psthebam]

Been waiting for a video like this one, i am from Mexico but for some reason i love this club so much and this frikkin situation makes me so very angry i want nothing but the best for West Brom! Their fans deserve much better!

[@HamsPokemon]

Another West Brom fan here. I hope this coverage San shed some light on our situation. Unbelievably none of this makes the mainstream news and like you said because we are not on of the big 6/7/8 teams in England. Hopefully this sheds some light and gets some people to ask more questions.

[@ryanflavell6159]

As a wolves fan, I should be laughing but I'd love to see albion in the Premier league competing with us and villa. Wolves seemed to have hit the jackpot as far as Chinese ownership is concerned. My albion fan mates are just fed up and I don't blame them. Hopefully it's sorted

[@lorddarlo6194]

Ay you lot in trouble though with financial rules much like us you ay really covered but I read Lopetgui could leave because of some fincial issues. If both of us founders are the football league do end up in the Shit. Hopefully Villa have far more Caring fans than deluded to Try and save there rivals and Midlands neighbours or Walsall maybe being to some Black Country being to others not in the Black Country could ask the Government to save the two biggest clubs in the Black Country

[@YellowPotatoable]

@@Richard-bl5yr Glad someone mentioned this! Don't want to see any great football club collapsing like this, but it's not like other Midlands clubs weren't having a field day when Villa almost went into administration!

[@ccook92]

No you shouldn’t be laughing, football is bigger than rivalries. ANY club going under is devastating, rival or not.

[@conallhomer453]

@@ccook92 exactly

[@alimuthana7293]

As an Albion fan, Lai has led the club into a hole of despair and he doesn’t seem bothered to do anything to fix the issues he created. We will not get promoted with his revolving door policy of leadership.

[@Dench999or911]

Been waiting on this one for a while. In short, we are fucked. When Lai took over we were one of the best run clubs in the country…six years on and we are on the verge of losing our stadium and training facilities to the same firm that took Derby down. It’s not an ideal situation

[@psthebam]

One of my dreams is visiting the Hawthorns, this is just so sad to me im really hoping things get better. WBA deserves better

[@shawklan27]

Oof

[@ripdoom7658]

It’s not Ideal

[@nigeh5326]

@@psthebamthanks hopefully you will get to visit the Hawthorns. We are a proud club with a long history and deserve better than whats happened lately 😔

[@lorddarlo6194]

Stadium is protected by a Asset of Community Value meaning the fans get a say in what happens. Probably won't happen but Sandwell Council could block development they and local MP's are fighting for our future and one Emily or Emma something is pushing the Government to push out it's Paper on football Regulations. It may come to late for Albion despite her and the council's efforts

[@lucamarks4792]

As a west brom fan couldn't thank you more for making this video, about some time someone highlights the circus going on at albion

[@SpoopyGamer]

My local team, just down the road. I go to the games quite often, such a shame to see the fall they've had. Theres still glimpses of hope, the squad isn't as bad as it's made out to be having seen them play in person. Theres some young talent that should keep them around even if they have to sell the bigger players. The owner simply doesn't care, he never shows up, he never invests. Just takes loans out in the clubs name

[@nigeh5326]

He is setting us up for bankruptcy imo 😡 He takes out a loan that he will never repay as he owns the club so who can stop him? He then okays a bigger loan from a company he owns at a higher interest rate so the club has to pay his company from out of day to day funds that saves him having to pay himself from his own pocket. He is doing the sort of dodgy accounting that crooks have always done. Thing is if he is not investing and we have no money in the bank to pay wages or buy new players the club will rapidly go bust. The attendances will fall as even with a good manager, a few decent older players and a few good youngsters we can’t push for promotion. A mid table or worse position next season combined with this financial dodgy dealing will only further our decline. The parachute payments have gone the money has been spent and now all we have are v limited funds for day to day let alone for buying new players.

[@gravy3858]

Who’s your first team ? 🤔

[@robertjewkes604]

Support your local team then maybe lolbion won’t be in this situation

[@_jayintheuk_]

How are they your 2nd team if they're just down the road?! 🤔

[@ianmacfarlane1241]

​@@_jayintheuk_ Maybe OP supports a lower league team, and when it's inconvenient to travel to away games he goes to WBA home games... assuming they are at home.

[@charleslouis4907]

I'm a french west brom fan, I knew there were monay problems but not this extent thank you for informing me better

[@theunknownstuntman4010]

Great vid Alfie, very well covered and proves that only certain clubs owners are looked at

[@bradleyhesom]

As a fellow baggies fan. I am thankful for you raising awareness of out great club which is slowly dying due to incompetent owners who don't care about the club. Its heartbreaking to see it happening.

[@Azieehuncho]

Baggies fan here, thank you for covering this🙏🏻

[@vincentlewis838]

Another amazingly researched video Alfie. I feel for the west brom fans

[@jonathanwalker6383]

It's a great video highlighting what is actually going on. I went to my first game with my father and gramdfather in 96 at home to grimsby when the ground was not its best and neither were the team but we had players like Bob Taylor and Richard Sneekes. Later it was Gary Megson who built the club it became. Pulis' final months started the death of the football. Which was completely finished off by Bruce. In between we took on owners who are decimating the club itself. I used to love the black country derby days against Wolves. Within 5 years, we'll be lucky to give Walsall a game.

[@jamieclay1573]

Brilliant video. Tied together all of the ongoing research into the murkiness.

[@jjnrmason]

Thanks for covering

[@hasharmohammad3926]

Getting just £18 mil for Pereira after the two ‘owners’ spoke when other clubs were willing to pay £30-40 mil for him just shows how badly we are run.

[@benmartin7708]

Let’s get it right we don’t know how much we received for pereira. It was undisclosed and there are many reports around that time we was negotiating off the books to be paid to other sources. John Percy broke that story and Luke dowling left shortly after

[@1234legend1234]

Rumours were it wasn't even 18mil it was 7mil one season, 7mil the following and then 4 the year after

[@tomthomassony8607]

@@benmartin7708 it’s called money laundering.

[@areguapiri]

The owners are multi-billionaires. They can pay whatever they want to the plate.

[@lastcartridge]

i've been enjoying your videos for a long time now, and I feel the need to point out, I'm not even a casual football fan. They're just that interesting and well done. Great work and thank you.

[@lokmansahat6220]

Hello Alfie, can you make What the Earth is Going On to Hamburg, a former German champions in 80s and previously won European Cup now face a crisis in Bundesliga 2 when they missed chance to promoted to Bundesliga when they finish third place in automatic spot. They also lost to Stuttgart in Bundesliga playoff tie in this season.

[@MrBlazemaster525]

There isn't a crisis there, they're just shit at getting promoted 😂😂😂😂😂

[@danielkarmy4893]

We had a Chinese owner at Southampton from August 2017 to January last year. Yeah. It is all Chinese businessmen - all of them, because frankly, it's the same for all businessmen regardless of their nationality. They're not in it for sympathy, they couldn't care less about 100-year-old institutions or club supporters. Win and enrich yourself as much as possible, and whatever the cost is to others, that is an acceptable price for them to pay, and it's not your problem anyway; your task is to make money, and that's it.

[@OleeHem]

Thank you so much for raising awareness of our struggles

[@zikkyphil6250]

Amazing journalism Alfie 👍

[@Meacham777]

Cheers for the video 💙🤍

[@deanfisher4324]

Many thanks for highlighting my club's plight. A very detailed and well researched piece. I truly fear for my club under the current ownership whoever the hell they are.

[@jamiethesleeper1050]

As a Baggies fan and thank you for covering this!

[@fintaylor9878]

Thanks so much for spreading our story

[@j1bberz911]

As a baggies fan thank you for covering this excellent work

[@elliotthughes2382]

Thank you for making this video. The issues the Albion have do/potentially affect a lot of other clubs as well, which is why it's so important this is addressed, not just for the Albion. Sadly I fear our only hope now is to go into administration and hope we can get better owners that way.

[@danchang9976]

Finally, thanks for highlighting this, massive wba fan and its sad what has happened to us

[@jxckwba]

Good work on the video mate

[@jonathansmith2540]

thank you for this i hope it gets the story spreading wider as a west brom fan i am gutted for us but the more we have on our side the better

[@jimbob-robob]

Nicely done Alfie...👍🖖✊️

[@EuLucio]

my favorite source of football news does it again, thanks for the video

[@bizzia1233]

As a West Brom fan cheers for making this video

[@albionnewsandopinions5343]

Great video. One small thing is that Bilic wanted to sign Pereira, that was Diangana (I think) that he didn't want us to sign

[@Sivo-vf8vb]

Espero que supere la mala racha que ha tenido estos últimos años, soy nuevo seguidor de los Baggies, apenas desde 2018 estoy al tanto de ellos y viendo sus partidos, no se como me enamore de este club, hay algo en el que me encanta, seguiré con ellos siempre porque se que pueden llegar a la premier league otra vez, grande west brom

[@shaneez4895]

🔵⚪️❤

[@panamon1966]

Cheers for this

[@vindaloo3134]

Many thanks for describing the plight of our club so eloquently. Thanks also for showing what football journalism can be (in comparison with the inane babble about Mbappe/Kane 'transfers') as well as highlighting that clubs are more than just commodities and that the lack of adequate regulation is a failure in duty of care

[@Samjones037]

Great video which highlights the awful situation our club is going through. Albion will have to sell our best players this summer, and with the standard of the Championship looking increasingly stronger next season, we could be in a relegation battle.

[@br1an432]

could you do a video on jon obi mikel? i know you talk about him in the video about footballers who never player for their club, but i feel like an even more indepth video on what exactly happened could be really interesting

[@richardfoster8463]

As a overseas WBA fan, this was an fascinating video - I knew we were up the creek without a paddle but I didn’t realise that it was THAT bad

[@conallhomer453]

Then you’re not a real Albion fan then are ya?

[@reubenpage5]

Albion fan - we have to get promoted or we are fucked. Thank you for covering this

[@ireaditsomewhere6294]

Nice video Alfie. Please kindly do a video about the possibile take over of Sheffield united by the Nigerian business man. The situation surrounding that and the challenges.

[@dale437]

Very insightful, cheers Alfie 👍🏼

[@slowedversion6393]

Amazing vid

[@Swolekamania]

Are you willing to do a breakdown of the richest current/former footballers? Full disclosure, I'm an Arsenal fan, and would like to see what you make of Mathieu Flamini.

[@danielowen2884]

Fantastic video and thank you for giving this story the coverage it deserves. Also want to mention Actuon 4 Albion who have really pushed the envelope on this subject. It's looking bleak for us at the moment but one saving grace is the fact that The Hawthorns has some protection to it.

[@markmonkeyman8321]

As an Albion fan this is crazy where we fell from too where we are now

[@chrislees9614]

Very good assessment

[@adamfarley127]

As a baggies fan, I just want to say thank you for making this. One big Lai! #laiout

[@AblemanSy]

In short and a picture of Insigne? That's art!

[@twilliamspro]

As a Birmingham fan with a similar Syrup of ownership. Since Carson Yeung albion have my sympathies

[@MartsTravel]

Brilliant video

[@lucaslonchampt613]

Day 17: 7 Best Loan moves ever. The loan moves that have greatly benefited the team receiving the player for a limited amount of time. While not exactly the best, I always think of Morientes to Monaco as an example. Maybe they wouldn’t be in crisis if they did better loans!

[@andyprd1899]

Great idea. Come on Alfie!

[@user-nx9ec8mr9p]

Obafemi Martins to Birmingham

[@Roundholesinsquarepegs]

Anelka to liverpool, and we inexplicably let him go and replaced him with el hadji Diouf

[@lucaslonchampt613]

@@Roundholesinsquarepegs Oh that's a great shout. I remember that one

[@lorddarlo6194]

We have had Romelu Lukaku in The Prem, Matheus Pereira named here was on loan we brought him, Harvey Barnes Leicester City Cup winner and now at Newcastle, Grady Diangana who was excellent we made it permanently he got injured we sacked Slav who backed him he has never been the same since and we had Dwight Gayle who along with Barnes transformed our Attack the season after we went down and we lost in the Play Off Semi Final to rivals Aston Villa on penalties after we stupidly sacked Big Dave Darren Moore and stupidly Gayle was sent off and Barnes was recalled early. Gayle, Barnes and Jay Rodriguez formed a dangerous partnership

[@EliteReq]

As a West Brom fan. I am annoyed with the owner Lai Guochuan as since he took over the club In 2016 when we was a mid table Premier League team. We had 2 relegation, 8 managers in 6 years, terrible signings. And could get the club relegated to League One.

[@pincermovement72]

Annoyed ? How about disgusted !

[@DJVm4GOD1]

West Brom have been in such a decline for ages and ages. From poor recruitment, and adjusting the squad, to how the club is run in general. A lot of their players either need moving on, or need a refresher. It's clear as day, but the trouble is, when you basically cannot afford the luxury of signing top level players for your division, there is next to no point. With the only chance being signing a decent free that'll hopefully push you forward. The signing of Bruce was pretty poor in mindset. Not because of his manager skills per say. But more the timing. WBA were in a downward patch. VI was rightly sacked, as the club were at one point 3rd, but then they entered a 7 game run where they had only won ONCE to Peterborough. He needed to be gone, but what you don't do, is replace him with a manager who was on his own downward spiral, and brought nothing in SB. Giving him another season with a crop of players on the decline themselves, was just a disaster waiting to happen. How this team managed to finish 9th with barely any good players that can score is beyond a miracle. Grant has been on such a downhill, yet he's still the club's overall top scorer for two seasons now. Says it all really. They need investment, and good one in that squad to get them not only the right track, but to score goals too. Otherwise, this is only going end up in them going to league 1.

[@BALHAM69]

a documentary of Borussia Dortmund and how they were extremely close to bankruptcy in 2002 time and how Bayern had to save them. The extreme difficulties the club has had to manage within to get back to where they are #thepeopleschannel

[@michaelwijaya5562]

Can you provide a link for the WBA ownership schematic for us here to see?

[@witchbreed9079]

This is the sort of video tifo would and should have made before they sold out. Great work.

[@safebans1369]

Video idea for you Alfie - best retirement league transfers. Which players that left Europe to get a big contract in a non-European league made the best decision as to where they went, in retrospect. Which players settled best and had the greatest success and experience in the league they went to to get some money. Maybe a good way of pointing out the players that did it in the least terrible way, both from a moral/political perspective as well as what was most lucrative for the player and club they joined. Could also be followed up by a worst retirement league transfer seven. Feel like it would be a nice balance of some of the things you like to analyse - sensible football career decisions and political motives. Love your videos mate.

[@earlbitchin1096]

As a baggies fan I lost my love of the club with watching Pulis football. But the summer transfer window of 2018 was the final nail in the coffin. I still keep informed with them but I’ve just had to distance myself from the anger and disappointment the club caused me. Being a Chinese expat for 2 years the ccp will never bend to anyone in the UK. Chinese culture places such a focus on not losing face and selling the club for anything other than the £190-200 million it was brought for would be considered losing face. My only hope is a phoenix club to replace the baggies in a couple of years.

[@conallhomer453]

What do you mean by a phoenix club to replace us?

[@GGMatt]

​@@conallhomer453Well, as you're clearly unaware of the reality - We (WBA) aren't going to exist for much longer. People don't like saying it out loud but it's true. What happened to Bury FC is whats going to happen to us, that's pretty much inevitable now, and the only way we will ever get back to any realm of success is via a new club being born under a similar name, ie, a phoenix club.

[@bababababababa6124]

I’m Nigerian so the only thing I knew about WBA was Semi Ajayi 😂 had no idea they were in crisis, didn’t they do okay last season?

[@nigeh5326]

Yes but off the field the finances are in chaos 😔.

[@bababababababa6124]

@@nigeh5326damn, at least you ain’t Reading though 😂

[@lorddarlo6194]

​@@bababababababa6124 We are the next Reading

[@judecrutchley7171]

brilliant vid pal, as hopeless as it makes me feel

[@stuhill4914]

Really good video, highlighting a shocking plight that is going under the radar. At this stage it seems that that only conceivable way out of this mess would be to go into administration and hopefully get rescued by new buyers. It would undoubtedly mean getting relegated in the process.

[@joshgould6405]

As a West Brom fan, it’s great that you’ve highlighted the issue around the club. I don’t think others fans realise the dire situation we are in.

[@hudson7354]

FFP

[@jackninetynine5036]

Thanks for making this video. There isn’t enough attention on our situation From the outside yet but this will get very ugly very soon. The owners are clearly asset stripping, they tried to look into selling our ground. Also blatant money laundering They tried to sell pereira to the Chinese league but then sold him to Al hilal for 20m under his value at the time in which the money is nowhere to be seen (this was questioned by the shareholders but no answer). Rondon was sold to the Chinese league & the money just disappeared from that. Hegazi was sold to the Saudi league, behind bilics back after the English transfer window shut so we couldn’t replace him. The yan zuning signing for 6m & never even got a work permit & seemingly disappeared back to China for nothing

[@lorddarlo6194]

The Ground is now protected somewhat by a Communion Asset Order by Sandwell Council meaning the Community and the fans get a chance to save the ground or in what happens. An MP for either West Bromwich or maybe she is a Councillor is pushing the MP or the Government to release it's paper on Football regulation and was seen with Action 4 Albion outside Number 10 trying to get the Government to release it before another English Club goes bust if she was joined by Reading and others then maybe they might take notice

[@another_coding_channel_argh]

"in short" 5:15 no Alfie, no 🤣 Savage

[@adeh503]

Jeremy Peace is totally to blame for all of this, his greed has put our club in jeopardy

[@nathanjm000]

One thing I like about the NFL ownership is how each ownership group has to have one person own at least 30%

[@Lythgoemania]

Would appreciate a more in-depth video on Wigan's current issues Alfie, in case this current takeover bid goes tits up

[@t.robinson4774]

Without the parachute payment or prospective promotion this coming season may well be the defining one for transparency over WBA’s future.

[@KindredBrujah]

Steve Bruce man, seriously. How can people look at Newcastle before and after his tenure and ever consider employing him?

[@andreichiriac7823]

The story of Farul Constanța romanian champions this season winning their first (or maybe second?) title. Club owned, run and managed by romanian legend Gheorghe Hagi, a native of the city of Constanța. Youngest champions in Europe this season (average players age), important contribution (some of the vital) from: 2 players born in 2005, one in 2006, 1 in 2003 and 3 in 2002 - all products of the club academy. Came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in the decisive match against Gigi Becali's team FCSB(who has a claim to Steaua Bucharest history).

[@NazJones2212]

Alfie lad, you have to make a video on Heidenheim! The story is insane

[@YoungTizo]

Shout out to my fav shareholder in all of football: Wan Kin!

[@kylestevens6544]

As A Villa Fan I refuse your request and Wan Kin sounds like the pefect owner🤣

[@nigeh5326]

Thank you I’m a 3rd generation Baggies fan and we are fed up with all the skullduggery behind the scenes. No real communication from the club just bs platitudes about the club being fine when we all know it’s not. I’m old enough to remember Wolves nearly going out of the league and even went to a few of their games to show support for a club that like the Albion is a big part of the Black Country. Lately I’m beginning to feel as Wolves fans did back then. Difference being we don’t have a Jack Hayward to buy us invest money and take us back to success. 😔

[@pincermovement72]

Trouble is they could be bought for a few quid , who in their right mind has the money to buy it now , wipe the debts and finance new players needed to make us viable again ? I’m afraid we could be seeing a once great club wiped off the map.

[@indiekiddrugpatrol3117]

You may not find a Jack Hayward but someone will step in I'm sure. As a Derby fan I thought the same a little over a year ago, it seemed like there was no interested buyers except fraudsters and crooks but eventually a local businessmen stepped in and bought us. WBA are similar to Derby in having a large and passionate local fanbase so I reckon it would take a very extreme set of circumstances for the club to have no potential buyers or saviours as someone with money will always care and feel obligated to step in eventually.

[@lorddarlo6194]

​@@indiekiddrugpatrol3117 We are very similar but also different Derbyshire is a massive area with 1 huge side Derby and other smaller sides, The Black Country is a fairly big area but has 2 big clubs in it where a lot of the fan bases cross over not forgetting less than 3 miles down the road from West Brom is Villa Park so they have fans that cross over. In The Black Country you have West Brom on the edge as in the Ground and the town and Wolves on the other edge, Walsall are on the other edge slightly down the M5 and M6 from West Brom and down the A454 from Wolves but they are League 2 and many dispute Walsall being in the Black Country. Let's take Albion and Wolves. From Wolverhampton to West Bromwich you have Wolverhampton's Urban area the Black Country Parts anyway so Wednesfeild, Willenhall, Heath Town, Ashmore Park, Bilston, Moxley, Ettingshall, Sedgley, Coseley and then you have from West Bromwich which is in Sandwell, West Brom, Oldbury, Blackheath, Brierley Hill, Halesowen, Cradley Heath, Old Hill, Rowley Regis, Wednesbury, Friar Park, Stone Cross the areas named are What I would say are both clubs fan base areas they aren't far apart cross overs then start in Dudley the heart of the Black Country, Tipton, Darlaston half way between the two on Bus, Parts of Sedgley and Coseley, Moxley and Areas like Netherton, Tividale, Gornal are cross areas. Also I missed out Bradley as a Wolves area. On the Frindges of the Black Country you have Stourbridge again mixed bag but probably a slightly more Albion area than Wolves. Both clubs have fans the other side of the boundaries but for Albion they are shared with Villa and Wolves would control a lot of Staffordshire with Albion probably more Worcestershire with Villa. So when you look at it you have two fledging teams with lots of history both founders of the Football League both not far from Birmingham Wolverhampton sharing the Midland Metro and A41 that links Birmingham with West Bromwich and also having the West Coast Main Line, both are former Working Class industrial towns and both in the Black Country Area have similar sized Fan Bases we both say we have the bigger but looking at it sensibly they are probably equal. So for an investor he has a choice of two teams to pick if he does support Albion he helps us if he just loves the Black Country given Lai's uncertainty and us being a Championship Side needing a lot of investment and sadled in Debt you would probably pick Wolves who assests ie the Training Ground the naming and the Academy are secure are in the Prem and have a decent squad who probably just needs a bit more added to it. You can Live and hope that hopefully someone saves Albion but yeah not great. Just to got to hope there are rich Albion Fans out there that we Don't know about

[@HHUK]

The Midlands is a great football location, especially around Birmingham, it's no wonder we attracted so much Chinese investment. China pulling out was quite awful for all the clubs but West Brom got hit the worst. They have the most passionate fans and I hope they come back from this.

[@bigtom198215]

As a baggies fan. Thanks for making this video. I still am lost with what's going on with the football club I love. Are we the richest club in the world then? 😂

[@omrigilboa2582]

Hey Alfie, unrelated question to the video. As you are a Hull city fan, your club's GK from last season Nathan Baxter looks set to join my club Maccabi Haifa💚 acoarding to rumours in the media, what do you think on him as a GK?

[@tigerrick]

Nathan is a great goalkeeper but seems prone to injury. Good luck to him.