Invest in Soccer’s Best Football Investments - England 2024
- House writer
- Sep 9, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 3, 2024
Welcome to Invest in Soccer and our first post diving into the top 10 football investments in the English football pyramid. Our ranking is devised using our bespoke evaluation algorithm - the Prospect Investment Index - which considers thousands of data points across more than one hundred clubs to identify football's best investments.
From fan engagement and digital reach to club infrastructure and balance sheet evaluations, our algorithm is geared to highlighting the hottest investment prospects with room to grow. Whether it’s a Premier League club with hard to reach supporters in new territories or an unfashionable side with a dedicated fan base, our ranking offers up diamonds of all shapes and sizes.
English football's best investments 2024
Gillingham - EFL League 2
The Gils have been around for more than 100 years, and their fans are familiar with ups-and-downs during that time. As recently as 04/05 the club were in the English Football League Championship, but haven’t been able to return since sliding down to League Two.
Their history, proximity to London and lack of elite competition in south-eastern England makes them an intriguing prospect for growth and development. Their potential hasn’t gone unnoticed, in December ‘22 the Florida-based tycoon Brad Galinson acquired majority ownership and the fans once again are looking upwards.
Northampton - EFL League 1
The Cobblers haven’t had the same successes as their Rugby cousins, the Northampton Saints have experienced. Yet, despite meandering between tiers three and four for almost six decades, this sport hungry county does miss a successful football team.
In 1999, Northampton Town set the record for the most supporters taken to Wembley by one team, more than 40,000, which would fill their current Sixfields stadium five-times over. Could a step change to their recent history revive the sleeping interest in this midland side?
Barrow - EFL League 2
Out on England’s periphery in Cumbria, Barrow have spent much of the past 40 years outside of the Football League, but their recent rise into League Two and just missing out on a playoff appearance against better backed sides illustrates opportunity and potential.
Their total attendance for 23/24 put them 12th for attendance in League Two, well ahead of other sides with larger facilities. As the only elite side in Cumbria and an upward trajectory, could investment take them to the next level?
Morecambe - EFL League 2
The Shrimps are entering their 18th consecutive season in the Football League, but their status is at risk following seasons of financial trouble. Despite their woes, their location, stadium and strong local connection means with careful management they could achieve stability and look forward once again.
Morecambe’s current owners have the club up for sale, and a quick sale looks on the cards.
Lincoln City - EFL League 1
Despite a volatile promotion and relegation history, the Imps have shown a fantastic turnaround since their drop into the fifth tier for the first time in 2011, achieving promotions back to the Football League and then League One in 2016/17 and 2018/19 respectively (and picking up the EFL Trophy along the way).
Last season they barely missed out on the playoffs, again showing continued shrewd management and development. They’re already ahead of fierce local rivals Grimsby and Scunthorpe, another promotion and additional investment might lead them to consolidation in the Championship in the coming years.
Hull City - EFL Championship
The Tigers are no strangers to takeovers, with Ali Acun Llicali at the helm since 2022, the Humberside club are a former Premier League side with a dedicated fan base and potential for growth in East Yorkshire.
Their current stint back in the Championship continues to demonstrate the merits of their academy and willingness to blood fresh talent, all while flirting with the playoffs. Success doesn’t seem far away if the side can capitalise on their recent finishes and make the most of their dedicated fanbase.
Oxford United - EFL Championship
Last season’s surprise playoff win against promotion favourites Bolton marked a return to the second tier for the first time in 25 years. Despite their modest stature, recent investment has stabilised the club and the U’s will be looking to consolidate themselves in the Championship.
Oxford represents one of the few elite sporting clubs in Oxfordshire, and with this unique opportunity to maximise their fan engagement and attendances in the coming season, there’s every chance that long term growth is on the horizon.
Portsmouth - EFL Championship
After spending more than a decade in decline, surviving administration and the fourth tier before being saved by their fans, Pomey’s recent history has been far from easy. Yet, the south coast side has revived itself, finally getting back to the Championship for the 24/25 season.
Under the ownership of ex-Disney chief executive Michael Eisner, the club has seen steady growth and is looking to stabilise in the topflight. Should the side consolidate its position there’s a strong chance of Pompey reaching the Premier League once again.
Grimsby Town - EFL League 2
Escaping the National League in heroic fashion in 2021, the Lincolnshire outfit have shown themselves to be a well-followed team with supports filling away ends across the country - emphasised by their historic FA Cup quarter-final run in 2023.
Their local, savvy owners are fans with a strategic mindset seeking to outmanoeuvre the favourites in their division demonstrated by their strategic partnership with the sports intelligence specialists, Twenty First Group.
Forest Green - National League
The “greenest football club in the world”, and certainly the most unique prospect in the English game. The Gloucestershire outfit were named as the first football club to be certified carbon neutral by the U.N. in 2018.
As recently as 2022/2023, the Green Army had landed themselves in League 1 and were seemingly primed for sustained success. However, after consecutive seasons with turbulent form they find themselves in the National League. Can their innovative owners rebuild their squad and revitalise the club’s previous momentum.
What is the Prospect Investment Index?
The model ranks football clubs based on their investment potential. The ranking considers several factors like financial performance, fanbase, and overall brand value.
The model itself is broken into four contributing data focuses; club infrastructure, fan appeal, digital reach and financials to give a holistic view of any football club, and allow for deeper analysis.
Primarily the prospect investment index is used for identifying the football clubs with the most underutilized potential and gives an indication as to which of those could be a worthy return on investment in the future.
This segmentation of data allows for flexible weightings that align with a prospective users’ brief or hypothesis when identifying sporting entities for future investment.
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