Football Dynasty-Chapter 65: Changing Hands

Becoming an ambassador was a new experience for Andy Cole, but gaining exposure was good for his career. Over the phone, Richard explained the ins and outs of the role.

"Just don't be careless. You only need to focus on your career. Next week, we'll go for the photoshoot, and that's it. Until you become a real top player, don't let anything else distract you. You hear me?"

"Yes, I understand," Andy Cole replied over the phone, his voice filled with excitement.

It seemed like his dream Porsche wasn't far off now—maybe just one more year? He silently thanked Richard for paving the way.

After Andy Cole came Alan Shearer.

Since Umbro was a huge brand with a long history, they naturally made an offer too good to ignore. Moreover knowing how Blackburn had flourished after signing him, Richard had already locked Alan Shearer into a performance-based clause—especially one that stated, "If Blackburn Rovers win the Premier League."

Who would have believed that a newly promoted Blackburn could actually challenge for the Premier League title?

Back to football—especially Manchester City.

After the infamous pitch invasion, Maine Road was left in a sombre state, and it was a very frustrating situation for Peter Reid.

The limitations of his squad, the tense atmosphere, and recent events only made the situation worse. Adding to the turmoil, rumors swirled about Peter Swales refusing to approve medical treatment for players, further sinking morale to an all-time low.

Desperate for a solution, Peter Reid looked to reinvest in new players during winter, hoping to strengthen the team. However, Chairman Peter Swales refused to provide the necessary funds, creating an obvious rift between the two.

The growing tension between the manager and chairman threatened to push the club into deeper uncertainty.

With the pressure on, Peter Swales he decided to appoint former journalist John Maddock as General Manager so that he could step away from the day to day involvement on the playing side, which he said "May have impaired progress", in front of the media.

Maddock was a pioneer. He orchestrated the first shirt sponsorship deal in English football, partnering Liverpool FC with electronics firm Hitachi in 1978—a move that would change the game. Swales believed in his ability to lead City while he waited for the situation to calm down.

Things didn't get any better and chants of "Swales Out!" were heard as City lost 1-0 at Tottenham and then 2-0 at home to Blackburn where there was a demonstration against the board outside the ground.

Since Swales had already stepped down, it was now Maddock's turn to face the City faithful. Standing before the fans and media, he made his first appearance as Manchester City's General Manager.

His expression was serious as he spoke ominously: "What happened tonight is not good enough. I'm talking about the performance and the lack of spirit."

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Those comments and Maddock's public appearance confirmed one thing about City—Peter Swales' reign was beginning to crumble. This served as an invitation for Francis Lee to step up his interest in the club, but he was in no hurry just yet.

The fans didn't get their way, and while they were still in the midst of their intense demonstrations for the club, under Swales' support, Maddock sacked Peter Reid and Sam Ellis two days later.

Everyone, apart from 'Team Swales,' could see that Reid had been hard done by.

The next day just hours before the home game against Coventry, Brian Horton was appointed City's new manager and saw City draw 1-1.

The game was followed by a protest involving around 1,000 City fans asking for Swales to step down and backing former player, and now successful businessman, Francis Lee, who had said in the press he would be prepared to put substantial funds into the club in return for a seat on the board.

In front of the media, Francis Lee stepped forward and made a series of extravagant claims about his plans for the club. "This will be the happiest club in the land. The players will be the best paid, and we'll drink plenty of champagne, celebrate, and sing until we're hoarse," he said.

There seemed little likelihood that he could work with Swales, but he insisted, "This is not a takeover bid or a hostile intervention."

He was aware of the covenant rules among board members.

Brian Horton's first challenge was an away game at Swindon, where City secured their first win of the season with a 3-1 victory.

After the match, Peter Swales issued a statement saying that neither he, fellow shareholder Simon Cussons, nor Joe Smith would be selling any of their shares, which made up nearly 80% of the club's holdings.

Away from the politics, Brian Horton made his first signing, spending £1.5M to bring Irish international Alan Kernaghan from Middlesbrough. He made his debut against Wimbledon, but City still fell to a 1-0 defeat.

However, there was one big question—where did Brian Horton's £1.5M transfer funds come from?

And if Richard found out, he'd probably pass out.

To raise the money, 20-year-old Steve McManaman and 21-year-old Rob Jones were sold to Liverpool for a combined £1M.

22-year-old Chris Armstrong was sold to Crystal Palace for £1M, and 24-year-old Graeme Le Saux moved to Blackburn for £700,000.

All of this was done while Richard was kept in the dark... or perhaps it was facilitated by the FA behind Francis Lee. It happened so quickly that Richard didn't know anything about it.

Away from the League, The Blues drew 1-1 at home to Reading in the 1st leg of their League Cup 2nd round tie.

The familiar chants of "Swales out!" returned to Maine Road. However, this time, they were louder and more intense because three of the best players were sold to buy unproven players. This decision led to Horton falling out with the City fans.

The major worry for City right now is the risk of the protests escalating into a second serious incident, with fans invading the pitch once again. The club is under threat of a ground closure due to crowd disturbances. Any further transgression could result in City's suspended sentence being enforced—or, worse, revoked.

To calm the FA and the fans, the defiant Swales made a statement: "The only thing that will delay some kind of regime change is people causing disturbances and rioting, because that won't help the club. It won't help City, and it also won't help people make a proper decision."

The current manager, Brian Horton, became an unfortunate pawn in the takeover war. He urged City fans to back the team, saying, "It would be better if they called off their demonstration because that does not help anybody," only to enrage them further.

Because of this, just days later, Joe Smith stated that he would consider selling his shares to Lee—provided he had Swales' agreement. He planned to meet with Lee to discuss the matter after the next game, which ended in a convincing 3-0 win against QPR at Maine Road.

The City fans made their stance clear, voicing full support for the Forward With Franny campaign.

It seemed that Swales was realising that the club he had presided over for years, would now end up in new hands, however he seemed determined that it would not be those of Francis Lee as he announced he was in advanced negotiations with another buyer.

Richard Maddox

But unexpectedly, Richard himself did not respond—or perhaps he couldn't.

Where had Richard been all this time? After all the chaos, why hadn't he appeared? Where was he?

No one could contact him.

Well, it wasn't that he didn't want to—but he had unexpectedly run into some trouble.

He didn't even have time to meet with his agent because his career was at risk!

Back to Manchester City's situation—the tension was about to explode. After the match, Swales gave an interview:

"I know there's a time for everybody to step down, and that time will come for me. But I'm not sure it has come just yet. The whole thing has blown up in the last two weeks, and you can't suddenly change your entire thinking in that time. I won't be hustled into anything."

This statement only fueled City fans—especially the hardcore supporters like the Rev Jim Burns, the St. Paul Vicar from Chorley, and the City Action Group, who were pro-Lee and anti-Swales.

They insisted on holding a peaceful demonstration despite the chairman's conciliatory comments.

The boardroom turmoil seemed to be affecting the players, as The Blues suffered back-to-back defeats—3-1 at West Ham and 3-2 against Manchester United at Maine Road.

With all parties raising the red card against Swales' management, Francis Lee's consortium finally decided to make a second formal bid to the City board.

In the first bid, Francis Lee's consortium had made an official offer to take over the club by proposing to buy a 29.9% share. However, the board stood by Peter Swales and rejected the bid outright.

Unexpectedly, the next day, after a lengthy discussion, the two men—Francis Lee and Joe Smith, now the former City president—shook hands on a deal. Lee successfully acquired Smith's shares for a whopping £1,500,000, an increase from the initial valuation of £1,421,600.

When City Magazine interviewed the Oldham-based double glazing tycoon, he simply stated, "When the right bid is made, it should be treated on its merits, or prolonged rumors and speculation could end up damaging all parties involved."

Updated Share Ownership & Valuation:

Peter Swales 619 shares (30.05%) → £2,404,000

Simon Cussons 566 shares (27.48%) → £2,198,400

Francis Lee's consortium 366 shares (17.77%) → £1,421,600

Richard Maddox 509 (24.71%) → £1,898,100

Not long after, the FA made an announcement stating, "Should Swales step down as chairman, his position as head of the influential Football Association International Committee and Northern Premier League head would remain unaffected."

Following that, Lee also stated that if Peter Swales or Simon Cussons chose to step down and sell their shares, they would both be offered the title of Life President at the club upon their departure.

City's run was halted with a 1-1 draw at Norwich and a 0-0 draw at Chelsea. However, a 3-1 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday was followed a few days later by the resignation of Chairman Peter Swales.

When Swales gave his last speech as City chairman, everyone was shocked by a revelation—he never wanted to sell his shares, but he knew he had no choice.

"But when the supporters sink to the depths of involving an 87-year-old woman, I think the time has come for me to take action. My family has been living in constant fear, and their safety was a prime consideration in my decision to resign as chairman," Swales said.

People were taken aback, but when investigations began, everything erupted into an uproar. Reports surfaced that certain City fans had attempted to enter his elderly mother's nursing home.

The League Cup was gone, the solace of the FA Cup was only a dream, and as for the Premier League?

City was on the brink of relegation.

The final match of the Premier League confirmed that Francis Lee's consortium's bid had finally been accepted by the board, replacing Peter Swales as the chairman.

Simon Cussons, on the other hand, did not want to sell his shares but was pressured by the fans—especially the pro-Lee supporters and the consortium.

His company, Cussons, was still in a strong phase of expansion, but the economic climate, coupled with aggressive growth strategies, was beginning to put pressure on all fronts.

Just as he was on the verge of surrendering to Francis Lee's consortium, Richard made a decisive move that caught the euphoric Francis Lee consortium off guard.

"£2,500,000! Sell it to me!" Richard declared firmly.

What else could he say?

Lee's consortium wanted to buy his share for £2,000,000, while Richard offered £2,500,000.

Even a moron would know which to choose.

Updated Share Ownership & Valuation:

Francis Lee's consortium → 985 shares (47.82%) → £3,830,280

Richard Maddox → 1,075 shares (52.18%) → £4,179,600