Finance in football is a sore point with many fans, journalists and broadcasters taking different stances on the subject.
" The Football League clubs are on a financial precipice"
Football League Chairman Greg Clarke.
No football fan takes any pleasure from seeing a fellow club going into 'administration' or in some cases actually ceasing to exist. Yet having faced administration all of the clubs creditors, within the sport and outside, are effectively short-changed. I couldn't go to the supermarket, not have enough money for my shopping, stop, get an administrator and pay 20p in the £1 for my shopping so why should thse clubs be allowed to?
Clubs in the past that have faced administration have, in general, left and prospered. Leeds United, Leicester City, Southampton, et al. These clubs left with nice, large, stadia, competent playing staff and in some cases a blank balance sheet in a higher league. How was this allowed to happen? Yes, they were penalised by 10 points but that is just a one-season punishment. After leaving administration, they were able to wipe their hands of their debts, spend on their squads and challenge for or gain promotion while other clubs in the same division attempted to live within thier means and balance the books while attempting to be competetive.
My club, Tranmere Rovers, recently visited Plymouth Argyle in a league match. It was revealed after the game (3-1 to Tranmere), that ONE Plymouth player was being paid more than our whole team. How was this allowed to happen? Then Plymouth went into administration. Yes they were docked 10 points but with a team no longer laden with debt, maybe in a lower league, able to build and move upwards again. Who's going to bet against a couple of back-to-back promotions earned with money that isn't theirs? What about the caterers? The programme printers? The window cleaners? Where is their money? Being paid to failing players and over-ambitious directors. That's where.
In no other industry would this be allowed to happen. With the exception of the twisted, top-heavy, publicly funded banking system.
What if Plymouth, Stockport, Wrexham and Portsmouth were allowed to go bust?
If would cause heartbreak for the supporters of the clubs involved. I personally don't know what I would do if my club went out of business. Chester FC were re-formed, Wimbledon carried on in a lower league when their club was stolen, Accrington Stanley re-formed and eventually won a place in the league again.
What if Tranmere Rovers went bust? I couldn't face following a 'new' club. I believe I'd, after a period of mourning, find somewhere else to get my football fix. Not the 'fake', 'plastic' pointless chase for 4th or the Europa league that perennially is happening across the Mersey with the Reds and Blues. I couldn't be a Sky supporter or just be able to go to the stadium once a season. I'd probably Visit Vauxhall Motors FC, Cammell Laird FC or Heswall FC. That's the knock-on effect of a supporter losing their club. Others benefit.
So either these clubs are allowed to prosper by cheating their creditors at present or their assets are sold and they are wound up.
For Wrexham fans... What about Cefn Druids?
Plymouth Argyle fans... Plymouth Parkway?
Stockport fans... Woodley Sports?
Portsmouth fans... Havant and Waterlooville?
It may be for the good of the game....
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