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As FFC columnist Sam Hollis travelled to Anfield to support his beloved Luton Town last night, he fears for the future, as the disproportionate distribution of television money is slowly killing off smaller clubs.

On Saturday I had the privilege to visit Old Trafford for the first time. The atmosphere was incredible and the football stunning. Although the stadium easily fulfilled my childhood expectations, I found myself wishing I was at Kenilworth Road instead.

This is for two reasons. Firstly, my heart will always lie with the Bedfordshire club, and no matter how pristine a day I had, I would still rather watch Luton Town lose to Swansea City. Secondly, and more poignantly to the point I am trying to make, I found myself feeling extremely guilty at feeding the football parasite I so deeply despise.

In 1992, English football struck a deal with BSkyB which allowed them to force football fans to pay to watch football for the first time in its history. Since this date, the way we watch the beautiful game has never been the same.

Right at the top of the game is the Premier League clubs. Back when the deal was made, Sam Chrisholm took Rick Parry, the chief executive of the Premier League, to Scotland to show him Sky's operations. There he convinced Parry that the future of the game was pay-per-view; forcing fans to pay for each game. Parry, whose job it was to get as much money as possible for the 22 Premier League chairman, understandably loved the idea.

While not wanting to divulge into a history lesson in football, it is clear to see the winners. The Football League has not got a ‘history' section on their website. Since they formed in 1885, they stood for all aspects of the game, amateurs and professionals, whatever level that may be at. Now, after they sold out for the money, we see the elite at the top, and clubs struggling to stay in business down the bottom. Previously in the twentieth century the double was nearly impossible and was achieved only three times. Since 1992 and Sky Television's takeover, it has been won five times by two different clubs.

When I was standing at Old Trafford, I saw the best player in the world fall over in the penalty area. Rob Styles declined the offer to award a penalty. The Portuguese international then looked to the heavens, which, rather conveniently, is where the North Stand holds the majority of television cameras. I then wondered why I was there.

I went to Anfield last night to see a spirited side lose. While I know that all divisions are not steeped in honesty and pride, I can't help but think that I may not have a football team to support in near future. All thanks to the association that only really care about one league.

 

  • Average: 5 (1 vote)
Guest
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It has been like this for
It has been like this for some time. It is easy to point fingers where it wrong but I think the Carlton deal was the resons so club in the lower leagues are forced into adminstration.

Guest
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It is a real shame that the
It is a real shame that the whole of the Premiership dont rally around and make donations to teams like Luton - or Premiership clubs waiver TV money for one game and an organisation gets set-up to issue it out accordingly.

Guest
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I think the real problem is
I think the real problem is clubs spend above their means to get their team to the higher levels and the extra riches. It is a shame Luton are struggling but surely that is down to poor ownership rather than the distribution of wealth?

Guest
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The ITV carlton money
The ITV carlton money screwed over everyone.

Mark
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Do Man Utd & Arsenal want to
Do Man Utd & Arsenal want to push small local clubs out of business? Only in the same way that Sainsbury's and Tesco's are gunning for smaller local shops. The difference is that football is supposed to be a sport, but now it's purely business. Time for the government to step in and legislate against this madness.

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Guest
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THE MAJOR REASON LOWER
THE MAJOR REASON LOWER LEAGUE CLUBS ARE FAILING IS THE LACK OF SUPPORT THEY RECEIVE FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. IF LOCALS ARE NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THEIR LOCAL CLUB, WHAT CHANCE DO THEY HAVE. I HAVE NO DOUBT THE AMOUNT THESE GLORY HUNTING FANS SPEND EACH WEEK TRAVELLING TO MANCHESTER OR LIVERPOOL WOULD KEEP A LOT OF LOWER LEAGUE CLUBS IN A HEALTHIER POSITION. YES, TV HAS A LOT TO ANSWER FOR IN TERMS OF SATURATION OF FOOTBALL. BUT SUPPORTERS TAKING THE EASY OPTION AND SUPPORTING THE BIG CLUBS ARE THE REASONS SO MANY LOWER LEAGUE CLUBS ARE STRUGGLING.