After mp left, but before lambert's departure, I wrote to the premier league to show frustration about a supposed example club being asset stripped, whipped up by a media frenzy (my question to them is at the bottom of this post) and reinforced by football's 'glass ceiling' for us so called smaller clubs. Apologies it makes for a long post, but I thought others might like to see their response. Personally, I don't buy the clyne and Rodriguez comparison. Losing 1-2players is normal. Our current problems are not. Anyway, here it is; PL response: * I can appreciate your frustration, and I say that as a fan of a team who has sometimes found themselves in a similar position to your own. *In truth, regardless of their relative size, most clubs have experienced this type of loss at some stage or another. It is the nature of the game that players and managers will often move on, but of course from a fans perspective it can be difficult when valued members of the team depart for pastures new. * Itâs certainly been a fantastic period for Southampton and understandably interest from other clubs has been heightened as the club has enjoyed increasing success. * In much the same way that Southampton, upon returning to the top flight, were able to entice high-performing talent like Clyne and Rodriguez from Championship clubs, there will inevitably be occasions when other teams are able to offer a package that is more enticing for the individual concerned. A feature of Southamptonâs season was the rise in prominence of young talent like Shaw, Ward-Prowse and Lallana and their emergence has continued a great body of work in player development at St. Maryâs in recent years. I feel sure there is much to celebrate and admire, particular for fans of long-standing. * From our perspective, we endeavour to maximise the potential of our League, primarily to allow all of our member clubs to flourish. Each club receives equal share payments for the lion share of revenue generated by UK and overseas TV broadcast partnerships. These are augmented by merit payments for final League position. Together these elements combine to create a balanced system that we hope affords all clubs fair access to revenues generates across the League, plus a tangible reward performance on the field of play. It is, of course, then for each club to determine its own strategy and plans. * We would always encourage fans to contact their club with their thoughts and opinions, and it may be worth doing so here if you havenât yet been in touch with Southampton. At all events, I very much hope you will feel able to stay firmly behind club as they look ahead to the new season. * From all of us here, thanks for all your support last season * *My question: Ive not written to the PL before, but feel the need to do so now my team, Southampton Fc has lost its manager. Like many fans, I've endured lots of lean years, only to see an upswing in the last 5 years. Finally we progressed. Now, as the media circle over all our players, I realise footballs glass ceiling is still very much intact, and all we are ever doing is developing talent for 'big' clubs. When a team finishing 8th can be asset stripped in this way, I wonder how competitive the league is? I feel tempted to walk away after 40 years watching my club. When is the league going to work to create a structure where everyone can dream, and sustain that dream if they do well? * Regards, Premier League Customer Services Home | Matchday | News & Features | Contact Us PREMIER LEAGUE © 2011 | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy Manage all email preferences in My Account * The Football Association Premier League Limited. Registered Office: 30 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8PL. No. 2719699 England.
That was a fair question. I think you got the obvious answer back, without quite finally answering your enquiry. But it was certainly worth asking to gain their opinion and stance. Interesting read.
If the Premier League were to develop a structure wherein the glass ceiling could be shattered the top 4 would just speed even faster towards the European Premier League and the Sky Sports/BT Sponsored Premier League would become devalued. This will eventually happen anyway.. Imagine Spurs, complete with new ground, servicing a debt and unable to join the elite.. it is likely to happen and it just one scenario that keeps me smiling inside..
Fair play for asking the question, and fair play to them for giving you what seems on the face of it a reasonable answer. They're right about the TV money, in Spain each club is free to negotiate their own deal. The problems with finance run far deeper than that, and it's difficult to see how the problem can be resolved, other than implementing a wage limit for players.
