AFC Bournemouth Programme, 26th December 2008
Good afternoon, I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas Day and are looking forward to our clash this afternoon with one of our nearer rivals, AFC Bournemouth. I hope many of their supporters have made the trip to the game and see an entertaining game and of course three points for the Bees!
Bournemouth have of course started the season on -17 points and I was interested to read Lord Mawhinney’s (Chairman of the Football League) recent comments about the adverse impact points deductions have on the competitiveness of the league the team is in. He is quoted as saying
"Is it ideal? No, it is not ideal. Would I like to dream up a scheme where we didn't have to go down the route of points deduction? I personally, just me, would like to find a different way. We have some thoughts on how we might do that and that could be part of the continuing agenda."
"We've had some difficulty with some of our clubs frequently living beyond their means because they weren't paying Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs," he continued. "There are only two options, money or points - and there is no point in punishing clubs in financial administration with money. One of the most important part of the board's job is to protect the integrity of the competition so we had to send a message that they could not get an unfair advantage."
I think that he is right to point out that clubs do frequently live beyond their means; there is huge pressure for success and there is always the temptation to throw money at achieving it. The fact remains that ultimately 4 clubs (17%) in our division will be successful and there is no guarantee that spending large amounts of money will buy success but there is no doubt it does improve your chances. So with the pressures for success it is hardly surprising that some club boards ‘chase the dream.’
I think that for Lord Mawhinney to say "There are only two options, money or points…” is wrong, there is definitely a third way. What Lord Mawhinney is focusing on is addressing the situation after ‘the horse has bolted.’ Surely it is far better to make sure the ‘stable is secure’ in the first place? He and his colleagues at the Football League could and should regulate clubs better to prevent what has happened to Bournemouth, Luton and Rotherham this season. Sure some clubs will bulk at more restrictions, particularly those with rich benefactors, but the boom and bust cycles for the clubs must be eliminated for the overall sustainability of the game. Now, with recession upon us, is really an opportune time to act. So over to you Lord Mawhinney….
A Happy and Healthy New Year to you all!
Let's work together!
Jon Gosling
PS Please give more of the support today that you gave at Barnet last week it was fantastic!
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27th December 2008