It's a weird thing, following your football club. One moment you are riding high, the world is a wonderful place and your team can do no wrong. The next you are plummeted into despair, wondering just how your top goalscorer missed the open net and why oh why does it hurt so bad?
Since Poorsmouths failure to avoid administration, there has been plenty of discussion up and down the country about what is wrong with the game. I think you must be blind (or "doing a Wenger") not to notice then many clubs have financial problems, that players are overpaid and that the beautiful game may not be all it's cracked up to be. Someone made the point about Poorsmouth that they were in effect cheating this season because they were only in existence because other clubs were paid for players and the taxman couldn't collect his dough. Cheating might be a strong word for it, but I think we can also lump into the equation teams like Chelski and the two Melchesters. All three teams are merely surviving because of huge debts or the deep pockets of their owners. At the end of the day, if West Ham could run up massive debts and attract world class players would they be in the mess they are in? Well, they have the debts - not the players!
There was an interesting parallel drawn yesterday in the Champions League. Melchester United, massively in debt, paying over the top wages and allegedly one of the "biggest" clubs in the world against Bayern Munich, debt free, sensible salary cap due to the regulations imposed by the Bundesliga and on the night, 2-1 winners.
I think the German model is the one that should be adopted across all football. It would create a more or less level playing field for all clubs, the Poorsmouth situation wouldn't occur and perhaps we might even see a reduction in our Sky bills! This is my Top 5 changes for the future of football:
- Spend what you earn: Clubs should only be allowed to spend on players wages a fixed proportion of what they receive in gate receipts. Okay, that means clubs with large stadiums can pay out more, but see point 3 below.
- Scrap transfer fees: Players should have a contract with a club. If they want to break that contract, the player pays the club compensation. At the end of the contract they can move to whatever club they want to. If they feel they are worth more money then they negotiate that with the club concerned. At the moment a contract isn't worth the paper its written on.
- Divert TV money to grassroots: As Alan Sugar once said "if we get more TV money then clubs will p**s it up the wall on players wages." How true he was. TV money should be diverted into developing stadiums and the grassroots game. Sure, give clubs a small proportion of it (the FA Cup money goes a long way for the smaller clubs) but rather then have some of the crap stadiums we have, allow clubs at any level to apply to a central pot for funding.
- Clubs should be owned by the fans: Football is unique. It's a passionate sport from the working class yet these days the working class can't afford to get in. 50% of every club should be owned by the fans. Not so they necessarily have a say in what happens, but so they can prevent foreign owners having big boys toys. Lower ticket prices too...
- Review the fixtures: It's a nightmare now for clubs with so many competitions and the national game. Leagues at the top end should be reduced to allow for proper international breaks. What chance do England have in South Africa with half the first team choice crocked due to fixture congestion at the end of the season?
What do you think? I'd be interested in hearing your views though with the way the FA is set up in this country, I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for the change!
But anyway, back to being a fan. Last weekend things couldn't have been any worse for The Arsenal. On Friday night I was predicting a win for us, and draws for United and Chelski - how wrong was I!!! Everyone has written us off against Barcelona tonight, but then everyone had Melchester down for an easy one against Bayern so I'm just a wondering if it might be time for Arsenal's fortunes to take a turn for the better.
Whatever you're up to this Easter weekend, enjoy. It's another roller coaster one for all fans, regardless of who you support! Enjoy!
Madgooner
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