As at last count, over tens of privately owned clubs in Nigeria have folded up for one thing of the other. Some always come with swags that are second to none, but when the chips are down, they will be found wanting. The toxic environment in the game would swallow them up. They will disappear with their brands, and the rest would become history . 

Their complaints on exit are  always phenomenal, and the same with many other private clubs that had sojourned in the various divisions of the Nigeria Football Leagues .

When the Nigeria professional league began on the 17th May, 1990  with sixteen (16) club sides spread all over the country, there were club like ACB FC of Lagos, BCC lions of Gboko, Bendel insurance FC of Benin, Bendel United FC of Benin, Enyimba FC of Aba, Highlander FC of Jos, Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri, Julius Berger FC of Lagos, JIB FC of Jos, Kano Pillars FC of Kano, Obanta United of Ijebu-ode, Ranchers Bees FC of Kaduna, Rangers International FC of Enugu, Rovers FC of Calabar, Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan and Stationery Stores FC of Lagos.

Today, only Shooting stars of Ibadan, Rangers International of Enugu, Bendel Insurance of Benin, Enyimba of Aba, Bendel Insurance, Rovers FC, Kano Pillars of Jos, Rovers of Calabar and Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri which reverted to the original owners, Imo state government, that renamed it Heartland FC.

The likes of Stationery Stores of Lagos, JIB Rocks of Jos, Obanta United of Ijebu ode, Ranchers Bees of Kaduna and Julius Berger of Lagos have all gone into extinction. 

Before these clubs there were the likes of Abiola Babes of Abeokuta, Leventis United of Ibadan, Flash Flamingoes of Benin. There were the likes of Jasper United of Awka, Udoji United of Nnewi, FC Ifeanyi Uba of Nnewi among various others that are too numerous to mention.

Nigeria no doubt, has a very robust, exciting and inspiring historical perspective. This history has impacted a great lesson that has immeasurably charted the programme of the League system in country. This nationalistic spirit that underlies the historical transformation of the game in Nigeria and the emergence of great national teams, club sides, football managers and very dynamic fans are no doubt sources of great inspiration that led to the emergence of these private clubs. 

Consistently, these private clubs come, same way, they also go. 

A source confided in Box 18 that the main reason why these withdrew from Nigerian football may not be unconnected to what they assumed to include  corruption among those in positions of authority which has deeply entrenched itself in the system, poor officiating, intimidation from the home club and their supporters, vandalisation of club's equipment, points deduction, among others. 

The owners of these club always felt betrayed by individuals whom they had entrusted  the clubs development into their hands. They prioritised personal gain over the club's welfare. The club  managers colluding with some players to bring the game to disrepute.

These excuses are very conversant with what previous entrepreneurs in game continue to gave leading to their exit from the game in country.

What continued to baffle Box 18 remains that these factors have been there, and even when some of the club proprietors had the opportunities to be nearer the corridor of the power they did nothing to correct them. 

The truth remains that some of them had no clear vision of what club administration is all about. They are lured into the game by the notion of making money from the club, not knowing that such, needs adequate strategic planning.

Certain questions that they refused to ask themselves before venturing into the business are what are their general mid-term goals for the club? What are the general long-term goals of the club? Did they ever set any specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound(SMART) objectives for the club, based on the goals.

Which Key, Performance Indicators (KPI) did they set for the objectives?
what action plans did they  set for each of their objectives?

This list of questions are the main checklist that can be tailored and applied to every department and area of their football club. 

These will be in line with the club’s progress throughout the years. 

Raising funds is equally important as this is what makes up the budget. Raising money can be done in several ways but the main sources for club funds are: ticketing, food and drinks, non-matchday events (e.g. spaghetti night, pop-up bar at local markets etcetera), sponsorships and grants or subsidies. Each manner of raising funds should be accompanied by goals, objectives and KPIs, and action plans. Finally, as far as taxes are concerned, understanding what they need to know is the most important step in making sure the club meets its obligations.

Laying all the blames on the football authorities is very much out of place, the club owners have a lot of the blames to bear, because they did not do what they are supposed to do as entrepreneurs.