James Anderson’s gambling is a good bet for SPFL clubs

Edinburgh-based investor’s faith in tech companies is about to lower-league clubs in Scotland

James Anderson's investment will come as a significant boost to lower-league SPFL clubs. Picture: Rick Bowmer/AP/Shutterstock

Henry McLeish’s views on James Anderson’s donation to SPFL clubs, which he hoped might lead to more “new money” coming into the Scottish game, were interesting as always.

The former first minister felt that the Baillie Gifford
partner’s offer was the chance to put an end to our game’s over-reliance on gambling cash. His take was an interesting one since some might argue the windfall is itself the product of a form of gambling, just a more acceptable sort. Investing, after all, is speculative by its very nature.

However, Anderson is a particular breed. Patience 
and long-term investing is key.

He has watched Amazon, Tesla and Spotify and their ilk pay back the faith he placed in them many times over.

Clubs such as 
Albion Rovers and Stenhousemuir are a long way removed from the success of tech companies in places such as Silicon Valley and China, where Anderson tends to operate. But they stand to be among very unlikely beneficiaries.

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