http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19303004 Just wondered what the general consensus on this issue was amongst the Canaries on here. Would fans regularly attending games feel the need or be willing to boycott a particular fixture in order to publicise their concerns about the financial state of British/English football?
I would be surprised if a lot of fans were to make a protest of this nature but they perhaps should. The PL prices are ridiculous now, especially for the away fans in many grounds.
I like the idea of a wage cap. It seems ludicrous that anybody is worth over 50K per week. A salary cap would help to divert money back to the fans with improved scope for developing the grounds and general spectator experience. Money would also be able to be channeled into training facilities, the training programmes at youth levels, and in the longer term this would hopefully lead to an improvement in the quality of coaches and English players coming through. It would also help to eliminate the imbalances between the haves and the have nots so clubs could compete in a more equal way rather than being dependent on billionaire backers or a history based on an air tragedy! (not the cynacism there!). Let's be honest though - it isn't ever going to happen. Even when clubs go to the wall, like Portsmouth, the Premier League couldn't give a monkeys as somebody else is ready and willing to step into their shoes and keep throwing money at players - QPR for instance.
I certainly support a wage cap, but then I have done for years, and make it £20 K a week, I know footballers careers are shortish, but a million quid a year still goes a hell of a long way.
Whilst boycotting games is a rather blunt tool, I think it could end up being the only way to get supporters voices heard. I'd love to think we could form a strong, united supporters group of fans from all the leagues, but the chances of it working or of it being listened to are very slim. I'm not sure about a wage cap per player. Unless it was implemented by UEFA, we'd just see the better players leave for where the money is. I quite like the thought of limiting a clubs wage budget to a set figure, though. The individual club can spend as much or as little as they like on wages for each player, but the total wages for the whole squad musn't exceed the set figure. That way, wage spending could be brought under control, but we'd still have big wages available to tempt 'big' players.
I don't think we would at Norwich because, mercifully, for the first time we're being run financially responsibly. We'll be free of debt by the end of the season, that's a fact, I see what happens at other clubs with money and all I think is "you'll reap what you sow" if you act financially irresponsible it is only a matter of time before it hurts you. Frankly, we were financially irresponsible and we ended up on league one and nearly goin out of existence.
Sad thing is that the Premier League (abetted by Sky tv over bizarre and unfair kick off times) and the clubs (changing squad numbers after shirts have been purchased, setting admission and merchandise prices) hold ALL the trump cards - the supporters hold none. Apart from Wigan, most PL grounds have very healthy attendances and will continue to do so, regardless of ticket prices (cue corporate sponsorship packages to take up any slack, as in Cricket and international football games at Wembley ) If there ever was a maximum wage, there should also be a maximum ticket price as wages are all part of operating costs, so any reduction should be passed on. I can just see that happening, can't you?
Can't ever seeing it happen if wages were capped the mad rich would go play in another league and the PL would decline My season ticket is too expensive not to use at every opportunity Would prefer to protest about more important issues in life and just enjoy my footie
rugby league has a team wage cap. they can pay individuals as much as they like but the total paid in salary to the whole squad is set to a limit. excede that and point are deducted.
Excellent thread. One of my colleagues discussed this the other week and compared football to the Olympics gave me some statistics and it was shocking. Clubs are wrongly demonised they put up the prices because they have to employ staff, pay bills and in order to be competitive they have to buy players, unfortunately players and their agents are in a strong position and use this as a bargaining chip to earn top money which obviously effects Joe Public. Players hardly have any loyalty and they don't care. Have you ever seen photo's of players taking mascots or sick people out on the pitch? It's a big deal for these people just watch the players body language they can't wait for them to leave they have zero interest.
Wage caps on income would destroy the competitive nature of football. If a wealthy benefactor wants to spend thered OWN money then I'm 100% all for it. Without it only 2 clubs would presently be competitive, Man U and Arsenal. Who wants to see a 2 horse race each year.
