At various times in the last couple of decades the shares of a variety of clubs which had been listed on stock markets have been taken off the market – Newcastle and Millwall being just a couple of examples.

Shares in Manchester United are still listed on the New York Stock Exchange for those considering an investment in Manchester’s second team. 

Unquoted shares in football clubs, where available to investors, can potentially be held in Sipps and Ssas's and I am aware of at least one Premier League club where shares are held within a Sipp.

However, as unquoted shares are non-standard assets under Sipp capital adequacy rules, and because unquoted shares create problems around valuation and liquidity, many administrators will not permit them to be held.

Pensions and sports – the bizarre

Of course pensions and sports can sometimes clash for concerning, or unusual reasons.

Last year an investigation by The Times revealed that two English chess grandmasters were linked to a pension liberation scheme designed to provide individuals with access to some of their pension before they reached 55.

A few years before that Rangers Football Club was placed into liquidation at least partially because of issues related to an Employee Benefits Trust which had been established for some players and other club employees.

And finally, my personal favourite. 

A role in the Sipp market, and the use of a Google Alert on the term ‘sipp’ to keep abreast of developments in the market, has forced the career of baseball pitcher Tony Sipp on me for some time, whether I have wanted to read about it or not.

It seems apt that Mr Sipp’s professional career began in June 2004, just six weeks before the legislative cornerstone of pensions simplification, Finance Act 2004, received Royal Assent.

Gareth James is head of technical at AJ Bell