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Matchday AIMs cheer the fans

EXCLUSIVE by Chris Barry
5/ 9/2005

A COMPANY launched by a football fan to enhance the match experience for other "average fans" is set to float on AIM in a bid to take it's unique business to the World Cup next summer.

Match Day Media TV installs high-tech plasma screen television for free at top football grounds, providing fans with news, scores and half-time replays.

Having already raised £6m as a private company it will seek to raise between £3m and £4m when it floats on AIM early in the New Year. It will have a market value of £25m to £30m.

MDM makes its money from advertisers, such as Samsung, Coca-Cola, software giant EA Sports and Nokia, who can target a captive, responsive and affluent consumer.

MDM was set up three years ago by Gerry McKenna, a Manchester-based entrepreneur, and it has already signed up 15 top football clubs, including both Manchester clubs, Arsenal, Newcastle, Celtic and Rangers

Mr McKenna, 44, from Prestbury, a former French Connection executive who set up a Manchester-based fashion and music label, Ubahn, in the 1990s, explains: "The idea of the business is to enhance the match day experience for ordinary fans.

"The idea came to me one day at Old Trafford. I had gone to the bar just before half time and I missed a goal, and there was nowhere for me to see the replay on the concourse."

Match Day Media typically invests between £300,000 to £400,000 at every club. At Manchester United it has installed over 190 plasma screen TVs.

To fund this investment MDM has already raised £6m, and now has around 35 shareholders. It is currently in the process of appointing a broker to lead the float.

Former Airtours boss Chris Mottershead, has invested in the business and is chairman.