Adopt a Team

The Mighty Barolle is one of the premier and founding clubs of the Liberian Premier League with victories in the 1960’s through the 1980’s.

When Liberia descended into civil war and anarchy, The Mighty Barolle had a doubtful future. Even with reconstruction in Liberia, the club has been unable to pay its players. The end result has been players going to other clubs. It appeared that hope has been lost.

Hope has been found in the guise of their supporters in the United States with supporters “adopting a player” and agreeing to pay their salaries until the club becomes financially solvent. This is a novel concept in which 49 supporters including some from New Jersey, Maryland, and New England.

After reading about this concept, it seems a great idea and is proof that football is about the game, supporting the team, and leaving the money portion on a secondary basis.

If other clubs had supporters like the Mighty Barolle, maybe there would not have been a need for Shinawatra to buy Manchester City, Scarborough FC would not have folded, and LUFC would not have serious problems. Maybe Arsenal and Manchester United would have stayed in English Hands with their supporters owning the clubs.

It is with great pleasure that this charitable deed be mentioned for the world to see the beautiful side of a noble yet much maligned sport such as football.

REFERENCE:

Reeves, Simon; BBC Sport: “US fans 'adopt' Liberian players”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6902781.stm