Palace need change of ownership philosophy (From Croydon Guardian)

Palace need change of ownership philosophy

12:26pm Monday 8th February 2010

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It is often said that a man’s greatest strength will end up becoming his greatest weakness.

During his reign in charge Simon Jordan’s undoubted passion for Palace was always seen as a huge positive by everyone from Eagles fans through to opposing managers.

As a lifelong fan, it was always nice to know that your clubs owner was feeling the same stresses and strains as you and that he saw the game through the same eyes as you did.

However, some decisions that were made during Jordan’s colourful tenure as chairman indicate that this passion for the club, for which he was so renowned, was ultimately his greatest downfall and played a part in Palace’s demise back into administration.

Jordan’s first managerial appointment should have sent alarm bells ringing around Selhurst Park louder than a Neil Warnock hairdryer treatment.

After the mysterious departure of Steve Coppell, it was time for an appointment to go along with the changing of the times.

A young, sophisticated, manager with a fresh outlook who would bring about a culture change to lift the club from its knees with the financial support of Jordan, was what was required.

Someone like David Moyes would have been perfect.

However, instead of realising this, Jordan made a move which the somewhat waltermitty character of Mark Goldberg would have been proud of; he simply racked his brains for names he had cheered from terraces and appointed Alan Smith.

Disaster followed and if it wasn’t for the calm head of Steve Kember and the genius of Dougie Freedman, Palace would have been relegated during Jordan’s first season as chairman.

Another incident which highlighted Jordan’s short-sightedness as Palace chairman, caused by his undying love affair for the club, was the way in which he handled the potential transfer of Tim Cahill following Palace’s promotion to the top flight.

Jordan’s refusal to pay Cahill’s agent through a matter of principle led to the transfer falling through, and to Cahill moving to Everton and taking the Premiership by storm.

The truth is, if Jordan had taken off his blinkers and dropped his ego, Palace would have had a front two of Tim Cahill and Andy Johnson and would have stayed up with weeks to spare.

But Jordan refused to see his beloved club pay slightly over the odds for a top player who went on to become one the best attacking players in the Premiership and Iain Dowie signed a promising young Hungarian called Sandor Torghelle - the rest his history.

These two incidents more than any highlight Jordan’s ultimate weakness and point to the idea that Crystal Palace FC now needs a new style of owner.

The chances of someone buying Palace for simple business reasons are slim to none as nobody makes money out of football anymore, just ask Jordan himself.

Therefore, it seems that the only person who will save them is a Palace supporter.

South London is currently awash with rumours that media tycoon and lifelong Palace fan Steve Parish is interested in buying the club.

If things go smoothly and this follows through, Parish had better take a long look at Simon Jordan’s reign and learn some serious lessons from his failings.

The main point is that to run a football club as a fan you must still look at it from a businessman’s perspective first and foremost.

Letting romance get in the way of good business sense is a sure fire way to disaster, as shown by recent developments at Selhurst Park.

In all decisions made with regards to running the club the new owner must think with their head before their heart.

A look at the previous recent owners of Palace proves that a balance must be struck.

Ron Noades is a very successful businessman and always kept things in order, but questions were always asked about whether or not he truly had the club at heart.

This was proved by the way he ripped off Mark Goldberg in the sale of the club back in 1998, selling the club for a reported £22.8m plus add-ons - without the stadium.

With Simon Jordan in charge, however, Palace fans knew that they had an owner who had a legitimate love for the football club.

The problem was that he let this love affair cloud his judgment when it came to making good business decisions.

Ideally the club needs an owner who is a Palace fan through and through, but also has the presence of mind to realise that Crystal Palace Football Club is a business and therefore must be run like one.

Since Palace entered administration they have arguably played their best football of the season.

This is largely due to the combination of passion, experience and intelligence shown by Neil Warnock and his backroom staff.

If Brendan Guilfoyle can avoid making the same mistake Jordan made, and appoint an owner who fits with the style and the qualities of Neil Warnock, then Palace are in for a very good time indeed.