The Business Behind Football

Steve Parish began his career at Adplates in 1989. Whilst there he founded a technology company, Turning Point Technologies, and later when on to acquire his former employer in 1998,later rebranding it as Tag Worldwide. In 2011 Steve sold the business in to Deutsche Post DHL.

In 2010 he led a group of investors to acquire Crystal Palace FC. Since the acquisition Steve has brought the club out of administration, into the Championship play offs, and - after winning the play-off final in May 2013 - into the Premier League.

Trevor Birch played professional football for seven years before training and qualifying as a chartered accountant with a big four firm in 1986.

In 2002 Trevor left to become chief executive of Chelsea Football Club, where he brokered Roman Abramovich's £180 million takeover of the club. He has also served as chief executive of four other clubs - Leeds, Everton, Derby County and Shefield United.

He joined BDO in 2011 and recent assignments include his appointment in February 2012 as administrator of Portsmouth FC, which resulted in a successful restructuring of the business and onward sale of the club in April 2013 to a supporters-led community vehicle. In June 2013 he was also appointed joint administrator of Hearts FC.

The club was formed in 2002 as a result of the decision by Wimbledon F.C. to relocate to Milton Keynes. The team started life in the the Combined Counties League Premier Division, and went on to be promoted in five of its first nine seasons. It was promoted to the Football League in 2012.

AFC Wimbledon is owned by its supporters through the Dons Trust.

Roger Blitz is leisure industries correspondent at the Financial Times, a post which covers the business of sport.

He was responsible for leading the FT's coverage of the 2012 London Olympics. He also oversaw the FT's coverage of the Fifa World Cup in 2010 and the Beijing Olympics in 2008.