'Not quite as expected?': An Investigation of the Regulation of Insolvency as applied to English Professional Football Clubs

This dissertation reviews the theory and practice of Regulation and its application to

with subsequent amendments and consolidations to analyse the activities of regulatory

(owners of football clubs) in the context and conduct of affairs relating to Corporate

the heart of this investigation lies ‘The Puzzle’ in that, historically, firms in this industry

unlikely to be wound-up. The causes and consequences of this paradox are probed via a

Whilst ‘unexpected consequences’ attend many human activities, this thesis is novel in

wholly delivered as expected. The ideas driving the review are obtained from extensive

and are often couched in systems terms. In the main, the data refer to the period

analysis of data within the thesis are categorised in the manner of Merton’s Law of

to the accountability of key actors for both the manner and the outcome of their actions;

surrounding insolvency might be achieved by more effective communication styles/

insolvency law may be better accomplished via an approach which is both fine-tuned

and industry-specific.