Are Caledonian Braves Legit? This Crowdfunded Scottish Soccer Club is NOT a Good Investment
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
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Caledonian Braves are a sham. A Scottish soccer club using fancy marketing to dupe people into giving them money under the guise of owning a part of the team. While technically true, folks are being asked to pay hundreds of dollars for a single share that is valued at less than .01 cent.
Everything about the fifth division side stinks worse than a piping hot haggis. That hasn’t stopped those in charge of Caledonian Braves from peddling half-truths and make-believe. From a fantasy valuation of $10 million to talks of a democratic approach to club ownership, everything about this concept screams stay away.
Alas, that has not been the case as thousands of marks have handed over nearly $1.5 million to own a soccer team that isn’t worth two quid. In their defense, they are being wildly misled by Chris Ewing.
The concept of fan-led ownership of soccer clubs is nothing new. And it is a model I champion. Germany has the 50+1 model. You see plenty of member-owned clubs in South America. Supporters should at least have a partial stake in a team and a seat at the table.
It is something quite common in Scotland after various ownership groups nearly bankrupted clubs in search of riches. In the aftermath of that, many clubs up north are either owned partial or in full by supporters. Perhaps the most famous of these is Foundation of Hearts which saved Heart of the Midlothian from insolvency.
Caledonian Braves currently plays in the Lowland League which is part of the fifth tier of the Scottish football pyramid alongside the aptly named Highland League. It is not exactly a corner of the soccer world that screams overseas sporting investment destination.
Owned by Chris Ewing, the side was originally used as a team for players from his Edusport Academy, a for-profit factory of foolishness operating under the guise of helping young athletes. However, in recent times he severed that link in favor of a more ambitious project.
A crowd-funded soccer team that would rise up the Scottish football pyramid. An idea, on the surface, that is fine. However, these efforts didn’t really gain much traction during the first four or so years. There was a membership plan and stuff like that, but it all seemed, well, downright legitimate.
Earlier this year and everything seemed to change…for the worse. Call it the Welcome to Wrexham factor.
Ewing and Caledonian Braves went on a marketing offensive essentially moving away from the membership model to a pure investment play. Something I don’t have an issue with assuming you are being forthright with those you seeking investment from. That has not been the case here.
There is so much to unpack here but everything traces back to the valuation of Caledonian Braves…$10 million dollars. That is for a fifth division Scottish side with zero history, zero assets, zero visibility, zero fans and zero clear cut ways to provide a return on an investment.
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Look - we know it’s a bit of a scam, at least I do. But if my $100 helps that tiny little team be able to get balls, or chips and dip for the match so be it - it’s fun to just say I “own” a tiny little soccer club
Why that tiny little team though? Why not a tiny little team that's been a beloved part of its community for 120 years and more?
The "tiny little team" has raised nearly two million pounds through this grift.
@@gordon1545then let that 120 year old team market better to draw attention to its needs
If you really wanted to help you'd give that money to a club directly (many clubs in Scotland have a way to do so) what u want is the ego boost of saying ur a part owner of a club to ur buddies
@@maxkelly4356I guess you can consider it an Ego boost / though I haven’t shared it with friends. really just engaging in fun - but it would be great if those other teams made it well known how to contribute
As a very minor "investor", I think if you look at it as a novelty, allowing one to root for a team, feel part of a community and being able to think of yourself as an owner then that's enjoyable. No different than buying a "share" of the Green Bay Packers, where you get a certificate, but the title of owner is purely ceremonial. However, if one invested sizeable assets believing the club was going to become Scotland's version of Manchester United, then I believe they will be disappointed.
"Feel part of a community"? They don't have a community. There are many clubs around them that do - Bellshill Athletic, Wishaw, Newmains, Blantyre Victoria and Thorniewood, to name a few. Caledonian Braves are a creation purely designed to appeal to people on the internet who live an ocean away and have no idea about any of this. Their name is a kitsch appropriation of a Highland heritage they don't have. They have made no attempt to get local people to come and support them. They are the antithesis of community.
Caledonian Braves arent apart of the community, I live in North Lanarkshire the same region where the Braves are, Fucking nobody supports them, The team I support (Bellshill) has been in the community for about 100+ years
If you bought a share to get a big reward you’re going to be disappointed. But if, like me, you bought it to make your soccer-mad daughter happy at Christmas, then enjoy!
Could someone not use a minor $100 investment as a partial owner and then write off trips to Scotland for "business"?
BUT a weird technicality possibly if you can make a ownership fully understandable
They play less than 1 mile away from us and their attendances are a tiny fraction of ours.
We rely on local business to help fund our community club which still rents its park from local council.
If anyone would like to invest in our club you can sponsor a player for only £50 a season 😅
Just an FYI, par value for common stock is almost ALWAYS set to .001 on a balance sheet. While he has very valid points, and any investment is not without risk, not understanding that but having a staunch opinion about a business's financial red flags is a giant red flag of the analyst.
Exactly, if you look at the balance sheet for any major company you will notice they all do this to limit liability and simplify accounting. The majority of equity from stock issuance goes into APIC section of shareholders equity. The actual amount shareholders should be concerned about is the market value of shares.
I think what you need to know how many shares they already have and what valuation those were. Then what valuation is the new round at then outstanding shares to get per share price?
also for those who don't know... the way you get UP the pyramid from the 5th tier and lower UP is you have to beat ALL other teams on your level(in this case there's 2 divisions) so you have to win your "group" then beat the OTHER Group's champ(if they're eligible to go up via SFA license) play 2 legs and win... and THEN you have to play the last place team in TWO LEGS and win that to go up... so yeah, it's not just as easy as "win and go up" for Scottish teams in the lower levels, so if they even think 10 years and they're in the Prem... yeah... 20 at earliest
Thanks for your perspective here. I encourage you to reach out to the team owner and others who have interacted with the management. I have invested and am a proud owner with the Braves. We are building not only our ambition of a world class club, but a global family, giving people an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves united by sport. Your opinion is subjective and while appreciated actually wrong. But again, thank you for your perspective and this information.
“World class club” hahahahahahah give me a break, you won’t even reach League 1 or the championship 🤣🤣
Have you seen how poor your stadium is?
@@garyenglish8115 it’s just a glorified high school pitch 🤣
Have you even visited that ramshackle of a 'stadium'? You have been scammed my friend. No one wants that irrelevant club in the Lowland League, they offer nothing, no fans, no history, terrible ground which is a glorified public astroturf. Deluded beyond belief.
Can you tell us what is "actually wrong" in the video, be specific, be very specific.
I honestly respect their marketing trying to get Americans to get in touch with their Scottish roots and all that crap they buy into but it is a complete scam, it would only be worth it if they ever managed to get up into a higher league
Look into their history as Edusport Academy, charged French students thousands to come over and play, barely any of them mate it to the Lowland League squad and played in tier 6 instead. My team play in that league and most other fans do not like this club.
That’s not true though they paid thousands to be educated whilst also playing for edusports. A pretty common American model in the athletic education system.
@@RossLeebody yep but further education is free in Scotland, so to make money you target foreign nations. Can you clarify the level of education being offered?
@@garyenglish8115 yes which is what every college and university in Scotland does (I work within the sector) they offer national 5s and highers at city of Glasgow college - the students are in full time classes with also playing competitively too. 80% of their fees go to the college with the rest going to Edu.
@@RossLeebody yeah but isnt it a bit of a con if its around £16k a term to walk out with National 5s or Highers? Have you looked through their website to see what they offer?
I am a former Caledonian braves coach. With a lot more information about the running of the “football club”. A lot dark stories to share. Not looking for fame or attention, just glad people are seeing through the BS that is “Caledonian braves”
Hi Ross
Thank you for the info. I almost let excitement get the better of me.
Slovenian club NK Tabor Sežana is attempting to do something similar. Insight on that front as well?
Curious to this answer as well. There is also a team in Ireland(Carrick Rangers) that is also doing this.
Glad to see this tinpot club being called out, a complete rip off for people “investing” into the club
So basically dont invest with them
Fair analysis. I look at this as fun money, not an investment. I joined Saint Mirren’s fan investment a few years ago, we got to vote on the recycling bin purchase and the women’s team travel to Germany lol. Dortmund and Man United, by the way, have been terrible investments for the past 5 years. If you invest in any soccer team expecting a return you’re an idiot.
But can you say you own a fraction of a soccer team from Scotland. It sounds cool and you get to go for a team you gave money too. Small or big that’s pretty cool. Who tf will think you’re lying if you have proof?
Awe, I really had my heart set on becoming a millionaire of my $100 donation. It's something fun!
That’s what I’m saying, didn’t expect to make crazy profit off of it, it’s just cool to be part of this clubs project
Do you think that someone who is investing $100 is planning on getting rich off that investment? All the things you say, is on the site, no surprises.
It's something for fun.
As for the $20 for title of Lord or Lady...which you can go visit your 12 inch x 12 inch parcel if you'd like. And if you look at it. It says it is saving that land, you're not buying it to build a castle on your land, your buying it and saving for conservation that land. I bet you're fun at parties.
You sound like a mark who constantly gets taken advantage of. I have some magic beans to sell you.
You're aimless rant fails to answer a very simple question. Why? Why do Caledonian Braves need to mention club value growth if it is all for fun? Why do Established Titles talk about land ownership if it is just for fun? There is a reason they have taken this marketing approach. Try thinking critically. Oh wait, I'm guessing you have already fallen for both scams. Womp Womp.
If you think those phoney Highland titles actually contribute to conservation, you're a mug. There's no evidence they do anything but enrich the aristocratic land owner.
Great video exposing this nonsense of a club. For record, they had a crowd of 69 at their home match on Saturday. Yes, 69 spectators.
Nice.
Great video, a club with no fans and on the few unfortunate trips I've had to make to this plastic football club I haven't seen the owner once 😂
That's cuz he lives in Paris
Kudos for doing more research that established news outlets just keen for copy and clicks. I'm from the same town Caledonian Braves play in, Motherwell. The town has a club that has played in the top tier of Scottish football for 40 years, a 13,000 seater stadium and is truly fan owned. Recently a US based investor tried to buy the club for approximately £2m ($2.6m USD) for roughly half the club. He cited what Caledonian Braves had achieved in his investment document as if it was something to aspire to and emulate. His proposal was kicked into touch by an 80% rejection. This is nothing more than a part grift/ego trip. Thank you for highlighting and skewering it.
I am now an instant Motherwell supporter!
Another example to show how much of a joke their valuation is my club Motherwell. We're actually fan owned, have been consistently in the top flight, both clubs are in the same town, we've get 4-5k consistent fans compared to their 50 fans and yet most of us would probably say our club value is 8 million.
I can't see Caledonian Braves going another 10 years with more Americans catching on that theyre a scam thanks to people like yourself. And they wont catch on locally because it's an area dominated by Celtic and Rangers and for those wanting a more community club feel there's Motherwell, Hamilton, Albion Rovers, EK and old junior sides with more history and fans.
I shall now be a Motherwell fan!
Thank you for this video.😅
Do a video on Clapton CFC a team in London where a membership is only £5/$5\€5😮
They play in oldest stadium in London.
Caledonian braves is a interesting team in LowLand League, in fifth tier of Scottish football.
They only have one promotion spot slot in their League which is top place to give them a chance and opportunity to be promoted to go in League up.
You did say LowLand correctly yes.
5:42 true.
21:39 i became a Clapton CFC member after some research diligence and with this being only £5, i felt this would be nice to be a football soccer club owner.
Well done on doing research diligence for this Che Hollis and their current League is their challenge.
They are a very social media team yes.
Footy adventures did a video on them for those interested.
Importantly, Clapton CFC have a strong connection to their community and even purchased Old Spotted Dog Ground. Even if you are not a local, there is still a reason to invest in that foundation. There is also a lot of cool Clapton CFC does from everything being run by fans to the actual democracy the club has set up in terms of voting rights.
@@thetouchback this was a nice watch, thank you
Do consider a Clapton CFC video if you wish :)
Or perhaps join their membership if you like 😊
This happen to South Melbourne Football club in 🇦🇺 in the late 2000 or early 2010s was bankrupt but survive and not Will played in B League Australia’s division in 🇦🇺 , why call it football because the body is call Football Australia not soccer Australia
Sounds like a ponzi scheme😂
Thoughts on Carrick Rangers?
Disappointing that I won't be investing into a Scottish football club, but grateful for this clear analysis of why I should not.
Honestly though, the reason I started digging was because as soon as I saw this it immediately gave off "become a Scottish laird by buying a sq. ft. of land" vibes.
I think I shall now become a Motherwell supporter!
There's plenty teams in Lanarkshire keep in mind
Invest in this team for fun. Not a financial investment
Thank you for that information!!! I was willing to dump a grand into this and this changed my mind!!!
between this and what's going on with inverness C.T... as was stated by Zealandism about a week ago... something smells REALLY fishy going on in Scotland Football at all levels...
This is awesome content. You really know your stuff. Subbed.
I wouldn't be surprised if the letters F, B and I are mentioned in the not so distant future!
The opinions expressed in this video are why people get so mad that finance bros get the good seats at games.
I know dude isn’t a finance bro and he has a sports channel; but the lack of understanding about the novelty being worth the price is still indicative of the problem.
The problem isn't someone speaking the truth. The problem is people like you trying to justify this as a novelty when those running Caledonian Braves continue to promote their scheme using false pretenses. They are the ones talking about reaching the SPL and future club valuations. Things solely designed to mislead people into investing.
Valuation was $3M until early May. Then they bumped to $10M.
I thought their wording said equal voice regardless of how many shares.
That being said I would have Yolo'd at $3M but not $10M.
This is soccer club is a football club because it from Scotland
Goodness, guess I should just pull out now 🙄
Anyone going into any of these smallish crowdfunding plans with the idea that they are going be billionaires is just naive. Plus... are you aware, truly, on the communication between the investors & the club? I am. I'm not worried
If the club is legit and just for fun, why are these marketing materials out there selling it as an "investment" and shouting about promotion to the SPL? Oh that's right, you don't want to say and prefer to blame the investor. Oh they should know better. Spare me. You're not worried because you are either a plant or a mark.
@thetouchback 🤣🤣🤣 a plant... sure. Let's go w that.
Become a member of a Bundesliga club
I mean if you've actually watched any of the pro-mo videos you're never promised that you're investment is gonna bring you riches. lol. You are pretty silly if you invest thinking this is a way to riches.
I did this because I enjoy traveling for football and being around locals, and I've always wanted to go to Scotland. For my investment I get a jersey, a bunch of merch, and contact people to go over and meet and have a pint with. In my case, it's a win.
The club is literally implying there are opportunities to make money by investing. I didn't make that up. They are the ones putting that out there.
This video is all over the place....does the Caledonian Braves play soccer or not?
They do.
Just saw this video and how very dare you assume that a good club ran by good people with the clubs interest at heart is a "scam" would be very interesting if this video got back to chris Ewing...potential defamation and liable case incoming
If the video was wrong, you would have said where. But you didn't and instead threw words like defamation and liable. Words you have a tenuous grasp of. I'm sorry you got conned by these people.
@thetouchback I have not been conned because I've actually been in and around the club to know that Chris and Ricky are great people and I do know where u went wrong..by saying it's a scam
@@Ryandunbar1996 "I've not been conned and they are great people," said all those folks Bernie Madoff conned before losing their money.
You should try watching the video before commenting. Then again, it is easy to see why they have targeted you. You are a grade A mark. A real patsy. Want to buy any snake oil?
@@thetouchback ehhh no I was actually involved in a small way with the club so can tell U what a good club they are
@@Ryandunbar1996 Oh, now I get it. You are in on the grift and don't want the world to know the truth. Got it. Still noticed you can't actually say what in the video is wrong.
Get into these weirdos
Immediately know this isn’t a serious take - no investor or financially knowledgeable person worth listening to thinks par value is the same as fair or market values.
Sorry you are salty about investing in a scam.
If you want to invest in a feel good club, go with FC United of Manchester.
Really nugget 😂