Grasshoppers Zürich

[OscillatingWildly]

Not an official Fosun venture, but Guo's wife has just bought Grasshoppers Zürich. We sent Ed Francis and Boubacar Hanne there on loan recently so I think this has the makings of some kind of informal partnership. Hope it works out better than the Telford and Jumilla ventures!

They're a historically huge name in Swiss football but it's all gone wrong for them lately. They're in the second tier at the moment but should they get back to the top flight and have the requisite finance, they'd be back near the top very quickly. The depth of quality in Switzerland isn't really huge.

 

[RosehillWolf]

Sky Sun has left to go there

 

[Kashmire Hawker]

Means only a 3 man board, of Jeff Shi, John Gough and John Bowater - which is surely too small for a club like us!

Good to see Fosun getting there teeth, into another club who we could hopefully work with.

 

[Golden_Wolf]

As well as our European Scout

 

[Golden_Wolf]

Wonder if this will see more link ups with them

 

[clivewolves]

I read an article a while ago tentatively linking Fosun investing in them. Looks like there was a kernel of truth. It could be a bit of fun in the Guangchang/Wang household if we ever play each other in Europe.

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

As well as our European Scout

It’s a bit worrying the amount of people leaving lately.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

It’s a bit worrying the amount of people leaving lately.

Has been quite a few people, and quite a few higher ups. I cant remember exactly when laurie left, but this makes 3 board members gone since then.

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

Has been quite a few people, and quite a few higher ups. I cant remember exactly when laurie left, but this makes 3 board members gone since then.

July last year

 

[OscillatingWildly]

I imagine we'll see another Fosun appointment to the board in due course, we will of course get a Thelwell replacement too.

Not so sure we actually need to replace Laurie, a lot of what he did was PR and Jeff can do that.

 

[Jonzy54]

It would be nice to think that announcements will be made soon .I appreciate Jeff and others can undertake extra duties but we are expanding as a club and this needs to be reflected off the field aswell as on it .

 

[whitnash wolf ex.dewsbury]

no mention of the planning application for a 500 seat stand between bully and southbank

 

[JadeWolf]

It’s a great team name, do they also play cricket?

 

[Monketron]

Not an official Fosun venture, but Guo's wife has just bought Grasshoppers Zürich. We sent Ed Francis and Boubacar Hanne there on loan recently so I think this has the makings of some kind of informal partnership. Hope it works out better than the Telford and Jumilla ventures!

They're a historically huge name in Swiss football but it's all gone wrong for them lately. They're in the second tier at the moment but should they get back to the top flight and have the requisite finance, they'd be back near the top very quickly. The depth of quality in Switzerland isn't really huge.

It's going to be far more than just an informal partnership. For all intents and purposes this is now a Fosun owned club and they will control what goes on. As you said, they were recently relegated but have a decent following and have a lot of room for growth. I guess similar to how Fosun saw Wolves when they bought us. Also interestingly they are planning a new stadium to move into, although I think this one is going to be paid for by the public purse.

 

[Monketron]

It’s a bit worrying the amount of people leaving lately.

This time it seems to be with Fosun's blessing as our clubs are now linked. Wouldn't put this in the same column as the other departures.

 

[WonderWolf]

A great move, certainly a historically famous club with great previous Euro pedigree.

Can definitely see us linking up and utilising the situation to benefit with a plan.

We (Fosun) approached Oostende in the Belgian league last summer with a proposal to create a ‘partnership’ of sorts, but nothing came of it. They are now currently in a situation where they could be relegated out of the league – their loss.

We simply move on to progress to our needs.

 

[Deleted member 4023]

It’s a great team name, do they also play cricket?

Very good Jade. I just think they're a lo cust addition to the Fosun portfolio

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

This time it seems to be with Fosun's blessing as our clubs are now linked. Wouldn't put this in the same column as the other departures.

True. Wonder what the strategic thinking is though? Can’t see much value in a Swiss League club? (I’ll admit I’m not an expert on Swiss football!)

 

[Egga]

True. Wonder what the strategic thinking is though? Can’t see much value in a Swiss League club? (I’ll admit I’m not an expert on Swiss football!)

Perhaps it’s easier to get into the champions league and associated money with a Swiss club

 

[Boss Hogg]

Marques and Ming Yang were from Switzerland so there is talent there

 

[WW1963]

Perhaps it’s easier to get into the champions league and associated money with a Swiss club

This.

 

[Mighty Thor]

Secretive Chinese billionaire’s wife buys tin pot football club in city renowned for money laundering and tax sheltering. Move along. Nothing to see here.

 

[Timberwolf]

Secretive Chinese billionaire’s wife buys tin pot football club in city renowned for money laundering and tax sheltering. Move along. Nothing to see here.

I’m sure they could have just bought a club in Jersey.

 

[Surrey Wolf]

We also signed Christian Marques from them

 

[ricki herberts moustache]

True. Wonder what the strategic thinking is though? Can’t see much value in a Swiss League club? (I’ll admit I’m not an expert on Swiss football!)

maybe they have assets that could be worth money?

Lots of clubs get bought for dubious reasons not related to football

 

[SBDJ]

Secretive Chinese billionaire’s wife buys tin pot football club in city renowned for money laundering and tax sheltering. Move along. Nothing to see here.

Im not sure they fall into the tin pot category.

One of those glamorous clubs I remember from my youth and watching Sportsnight on a wednesday night along with the likes of St Etienne, Dynamo Moscow, Carl Zeiss Jena etc

 

[WonderWolf]

Im not sure they fall into the tin pot category.

One of those glamorous clubs I remember from my youth and watching Sportsnight on a wednesday night along with the likes of St Etienne, Dynamo Moscow, Carl Zeiss Jena etc

+1.

One of the historical regulars in European football and certainly a big club relatively speaking.

Not sure how long they have been out of their top flight, it just could be that like with ourselves Fosun see them as a project to re-establish their greatness.

 

[ricki herberts moustache]

I didn't realise the famous Grasshoppers had fallen on hard times and out of the top division tbh

I've got one of their badges somewhere from a friend in Zurich. It's probably made in china

 

[Mr Wolf]

It’s a good thing the way I see it, they’ll definitely be a few youth players being loaned out to them to get experience.

Although separate enterprises possibly a way around FFP also if we need a bit of wiggle room on the books.

Jeff will need to cover more roles than Neil Emblen now mind.

 

[rincewind]

It might be easier to get Grasshoppers in the Champions league but they will never be able to generate the money we will.
They could be a very good 'associate ' club though.

 

[clivewolves]

If Jeff Shi calls Sky Sun and doesn't say "you still have much to learn, Grasshopper" I'll be very disappointed.

 

[WV10Wolf]

It might be easier to get Grasshoppers in the Champions league but they will never be able to generate the money we will.
They could be a very good 'associate ' club though.

I’d rather loan players to Grasshoppers than Telford.

 

[Ironfistedmonk]

We played these in the 50's during one of our friendly end of season tours, as mentioned they are historically massive in Switzerland and a link up would be more beneficial than one with the likes of Telford and Jumilla

 

[SBDJ]

It’s a great team name, do they also play cricket?

I read this at half 7 this morning......I've just got it!!!!

 

[reanswolf]

I read that they average about 3000 gates, wonder what they used to get in their heyday? Zurich must have a good sized population.

 

[arooooo]

... just got it!!!!

... do you think Katy did?

 

[Thank you Sir Jack]

It's a really big leap from where they are now to get back to former glories.

 

[Thank you Sir Jack]

I would have preferred Young Boys myself.

 

[JadeWolf]

I would have preferred Young Boys myself.

That could be taken the wrong way!

 

[Thank you Sir Jack]

That could be taken the wrong way!

I set it up deliberately Jade