Mitre Calico Training Football

Is Barry Fry Right This Time?

, 4 min reading time

What Did Barry Fry Say?

CRITICISM OF FOOTBALL AUTHORITIES SHOWING NO SIGNS OF ABATING

As professional football teams get to grips with no crowds, the furore surrounding the finances in the lower leagues continues. Peterborough director of football Barry Fry and Gillingham chairman Paul Scally have both ripped into the authorities in the past few days.

Fry accused the Football Association of ‘instead of helping the grassroots game it has kicked them in the b******* and f***** up the whole game’.

Scally tore into the PFA, saying they ‘do not have any care for the problems of the employers'. Also claiming ‘their behaviour has been disgusting and I will never forgive them’. He signed off by saying ‘they have shown total contempt for the people who employ their members and have been an utter disgrace’.

It's good to see Barry Fry retains his passion for the game. However, they do make points that will hurt those governing bodies and while a few may be slightly over the top, elements of the criticism will hurt.

Mitre Calcio Training Footballs were relaunched in 2020
Do Peterborough Have A Hidden Agenda Though?

Peterborough have not come out of this crisis well. They threw their toys out the pram when PPG (points per game) was used to calculate final league positions. This saw them drop out of the League One play-off places at the expense of Wycombe. Wycombe went on to win promotion. They had some valid reasons with at least one of those teams in the play-off places voting not to try to finish the regulation season and end it immediately knowing they would remain in the top six. But a vote is a vote. They lost and the other clubs were forced to duck as dummies, nappies, milk bottles and teddy bears were hurled.

Gillingham’s plight sums up that of many clubs in the lower echelons of the Football League. A small ground, limited revenue streams and no competitive football – and thus no income – since March, means that they are fighting for their existence.

How Has The Finaicial Support For Lower Clubs Been Distributed?

It is reported that of the £125million advances to the EFL to help clubs during the coronavirus pandemic, 80% went to Championship clubs, 12% to League One and 8% to League Two. That total will not go far when you are having to pay people without bringing in revenue.

The idea of introducing a salary cap is a positive step, but it needed more thought. There is far more to it than simply saying ‘this total is what you can spend, no more’. How is it fair that a club like Sunderland who get 30,000 home crowds and have multiple revenue streams can spend the same as Accrington, who have 1,500 gates and limited extra income?

And what about cup runs? Oxford United brought in more than £1million last season through exploits in cup competitions. They put some of that money towards improving their squad mid-season. That can no longer happen.

Sports Sanitiser
Check Out Our Handy 12 Packs Ideal For All Football Clubs
Could Ian Holloway Have A Solution To Football Clubs Financial Affairs?

Grimsby boss Ian Holloway came up with a novel approach this week. His view is that clubs should be allowed to spend whatever they want. But if they fail to pay a bill on time they should be docked three points immediately. It would cover a milk bill, paper bill, tax bill and wages. Then the club would be docked another three points when it happens again. He believes that approach would ensure clubs run tight ships. However the impact of mis-management would hit everyone hard, including the fans.

It's fair to say that finding some sort of middle ground between the salary cap and Holloway’s suggestion is best. But could it already be too late for some clubs.

It will be interesting to see how clubs find a loophole to exploit the salary cap. Because believe me, many will find a way if they can. Barry Fry is a forthright character but maybe he should be listened to on this occasion.

Tags


More blog posts

  • Improve Your Cricket Bowling Technique

    , by tarig el-sheikh How to Improve Your Cricket Bowling Technique: Tips for Aspiring Fast Bowlers

    Read more 

  • Dukes Cricket Ball vs. Kookaburra Cricket Ball

    , by tarig el-sheikh Dukes Cricket Ball vs. Kookaburra Cricket Ball: How To Chose Between Them

    Read more 

  • Finding the perfect tennis ball

    , by tarig el-sheikh Tennis Ball Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know

    Read more 

  • Evolution of Sports Balls

    , by tarig el-sheikh The Evolution of Sports Balls: From Leather to High-Tech Materials

    Read more 

Login

Forgot your password?

Don't have an account yet?
Create account