Mini Man City

While everyone has been focusing on the large amounts of money Manchester City has been splashing for players like Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez and now Joleon Lescott, there is a club with the same ambitions operating 3 leagues below them.

Notts County FC, the oldest league club in the world and currently competing in League 2, has been taken over “Manchester City style” by a middle eastern consortium. This allowed millions of pounds to be injected into the club to strengthen the squad and bring them up the the premiership, and eventually, compete with the Big 4.

So just what has Notts County done so far to make this step? First, they appointed Sven Goran-Eriksson, the former England manager as their director of football. Having such a renowned and respected figure in this position is surely going to attract some high quality players to the team. Next up, they have brought in Kasper Shmeichel, son of former Manchester United legendary keeper Peter, who is a pretty handy keeper himself. Ironically, he was on the books of Manchester City not too long ago. Although not getting a game at Manchester City, Kasper is a cut above the other keepers in his division.

Add to the fact that they have recently signed former Tottenham/Arsenal/England defender Sol Campbell, who at 34 has decided that despite offers from bigger clubs, to sign a 5 year deal with the club worth about 40,000 pounds a week. Sol has stated that he expects to play premiership football again before he retires, indicating Mr Eriksson has reassured him of the club’s ambitions. With most players on around 500 pounds a week base salary, Sol will have a lot to live up to in League 2.

Notts County currently sits on top of the table without conceding a goal, so their plan seems to be working.

If you think that the recent happenings of Manchester City were a one-off, think again. This proposal of injecting millions in football clubs to succeed appears to be growing. Horse Racing may no longer be the only Sport of Kings.