Nicholas Craig column
May 16 2003 By Nicholas Craig, The Journal
Back of the net! Newcastle United brought home £42m as they clinched Champions League qualification for the second time, Middlesbrough earned £22.13m this season, and Sunderland, despite relegation, £17.4m.
Money rules football. The corporations have taken over the momentum for club success from the fans. The huge gap between clubs inside or outside the premiership, however, means sweet FA for some.
Nine out of 10 of the clubs outside the premiership are now losing money. School leagues are collapsing, semi-professional teams are going bust.
Two hundred years ago, anyone could play football. Twenty years ago anyone could turn up and cheer. Today even watching their team on television is beyond the means of some fans.
The effect of possible bankruptcy facing a number of clubs has a serious effect on the fans. The emotional belt you get as you cheer on your team, the feeling of community, the exhilaration and the intense pride is irreplaceable. Nothing can compensate for this being taken away.
The balance between the extraordinary riches for those clubs at the top of the Premier League against the rest is well out of kilter. In one match Chelsea stood to make £15m, because those 90 minutes opened the doors to the European Championship. Football is a winner-takes-all market these days. There are no prizes and no money in being second best.
For those clubs currently dreaming of Premier League riches, they might do better to rediscover their roots in local communities.
New teams could be formed drawing their players only from the towns and cities they represent.
The fans could have more real power, controlling the finance of these teams, and ploughing any money made back into community sports.
It's a heartening picture, but it's likely to remain a pipedream. However, harnessing the passion of players and fans to keep the game alive in towns throughout the country is vital.
The league and the game are changing radically, causing howls of pain from football clubs, especially those in the First Division.
To keep the sport going there will have to be sharp cuts, which will hurt players and fans. The cuts will, however, help loyal supporters regain the game from the boardroom.
Nicholas Craig is a partner at Watson Burton law firm.
