Net returns: North-west firm Brabners Chaffe Street advised Liverpool Football Club on appointing Roy ­Hodgson, formerly of Fulham Football Club and advised by London firm Michael Simkins, as team manager. It also advised Manchester United on acquiring striker Javier Hernández (pictured) from Mexican club Guadalajara.

Sukuk backing: City firm Herbert Smith advised Dubai firm Millennium Private Equity on what is believed to be the first sukuk financing for a UK corporation, used to invest in UK milling machine manufacturer International Innovative Technologies, advised by City firm Norton Rose.

Home fixture: Birmingham firm Wragge & Co advised property investment and development company St Modwen on a £300m joint venture with construction company Persimmon, advised by national firm Hammonds, to develop 2,000 homes across seven sites in England and Wales.

Bottle banker: National firm Eversheds advised Leeds glass bottle manufacturer Allied Glass on a £75m management buyout, backed by Barclays Private Equity, which was advised by national firm Pinsent Masons.

Checking in: City firm Trowers & Hamlins advised the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, and London International Exhibition Centre, on securing financing for a 252-room hotel development in London’s docklands. City firm SJ Berwin advised National Bank of Abu Dhabi, which provided debt funding.