Football, whether you like it or not, is a very different sport to that we were introduced to as youngsters. Undeniably, The life of a professional footballer was always looked at with envy – however, the quite frankly absurd levels of money changing hands is enough to make your head spin. And it’s not just the highest division where the money lies.
The days of footballers desperately trying to pay their mortgages in the doldrums of football are almost bygone days. The Championship is home to some big clubs (financially and in support) that are able to attract talent worldwide with enviable wage structures.
Where do clubs find the funds to do this? Firstly, it cannot be denied that the Premier League is the promised land for every club in the division. The countries top 20 clubs split an incredible £2.42 BILLION this season, naturally, the likes of Liverpool and Man City were the biggest beneficiaries of the cash, however, most clubs could expect £94m for a season playing in the countries premier competition.
However, even in the countries second tier, millions can be made through ticket sales. Newly promoted Aston Villa were still prepared ti to charge their fans £300+ for a season ticket – hardly chump change. Even Hull’s lowly fee at the other end of the scale of £230 is nothing to sniff at.
With money pouring through the turnstiles at some of the division biggest supported clubs, It really is no wonder that some clubs are willing to bend the rules to gain an extra advantage.
The fate of Birmingham
Take for instance what happened with Birmingham City this season.
The club was hit with a debilitating 9 points deduction for financial fair play irregularities. Whilst the clubs total wage bill is currently the 10th most expensive (being £22.5m), adjusted losses totaling £48.787 million over the last three years led to affirmative action by the EFL.
Ever the manager tarnished with the wheeler-dealer brush, Harry Redknapp came in for particular criticism when making nine permanent signings and bringing in five loan players at a total cost of £23.75 million. Most madding for local fans, after steadying a rocky ship of championship wages against owner made waves, Gary Monk was given the boot by the clubs upper echelons just recently.
In an age where foreign investors happily move into clubs steeped in history and local love, a quick spin of the Premier League roulette wheel is favoured instead of long term stability.
Biggest and smallest earners
Perhaps the biggest surprise when it comes to big wages is setting a microscope in the Championships minnows. Even Burton Albion control a total wage bill of £7.7m. At the other end of the spectrum, returning to the promised land after a superb season, Norwich City will have their £55.1m total wage bill nicely taken care of with the EPL’s tv cash.
And its no wonder, average wage of the division has rocketed in the past 10 years; players are averaging closer to £25,000 per week. Not that they all pay they’re way of course. Look at Aston Villa’s Gabby Agbonlahor – after sitting on a contract from a bygone Premier League age, the striker has happily collected £54k p/w this season despite playing a handful of games.
That, if anything, is an example that the game has well and truly gone.