There comes a point, and I don’t think we are all that far away from it, when football, especially Premier League football, really needs to start watching its step.
By Dave Bowler
The transfer market, for example, has been in full swing for a while now, with a week or so still to run, and to be perfectly honest, if all you knew about the state of the world came from watching the goings on in the window, you’d be forced to conclude that the world is enjoying boom time rather than doom time.
Look at the cash flashed by the Premier League sides these last couple of months. In normal days, there would be plenty of us looking at the expenditure and tutting. £200m spent by Chelsea, £650k a week being trousered by Gareth Bale. Manchester City seemingly using all the world’s oil resources in a fruitless quest to buy a new Vincent Kompany.
As I say, in normal times, it’s a bit vulgar. But these are not normal times as we know. With the world currently going down in flames, calling such spending obscene seems far too restrained.
These clubs, remember, were at the front of the queue when the government furlough money was being handed out. That’s the money we taxpayers are going to spend the next decade paying back incidentally. A few climbed down when they saw the potential PR backlash. But how could they even dream of doing such a thing in the first place? They’ve obviously got such huge sums swilling around to go and spend on transfer fees and bigger contracts for players.
Premier League Spending
And don’t imagine for a minute that most actually did ignore furlough money. There are a number of PL clubs that trumpeted salary sacrifices for the management and executives for a month or two – little more than a tax loss in truth – who still quietly furloughed and dumped office staff without putting that bit of detail in the press release or web story.
Then we have the likes of Guardiola complaining that players are being worked too hard. That’s players on big, secure contracts in a world where millions are now unemployed and facing ruin. Pass me the world’s smallest violin would you, I want to play Pep a tune.
Lower down the pyramid there are a slew of football clubs who might not survive. All for the want of a week of Gareth Bale’s money
Sure, the Premier League will concoct some kind of “rescue package”. The same way Victorian gentry bunged a few quid on the collection plate to save fallen women. Doubtless it will be every bit as futile and done merely to salve a bit of guilt.
Culture Clubs
The strength of English football is not in its money, but in its culture. The pyramid that goes from its most humble non-league clubs all the way up to the pointy bit at the top. But it’s the foundations, the broad bit at the bottom that’s the most important part of the pyramid. Have you ever tried balancing one on its apex? Lose the foundations and the rest crumbles.
If the Premier League clubs want people to keep coming, maybe they should start to get their house in order. Get back into the real world. Instead of empty PR gestures, do something that really makes a difference.
Look after the wider game, look after the staff and, when the time comes, look after the fans by slashing ticket prices. Or they might find that their behaviour in this crisis has turned just a few too many stomachs.
Sir Alf Ramsey: England 1973 focuses on the final full year of Sir Alf’s reign as England boss. The nation that won the World Cup in 1966 failed to even qualify for the 1974 tournament. Ramsey was suddenly a man out of time, both on and off the pitch. The failing fortunes of the England team mirrored those of a post-Empire nation heading for its own a fall.
A must read for all fans. Order your copy.