Lower leagues being left behind by unfair settlement, says MP

Huge Premiership ‘parachute payment’ increases are creating an ever-widening gulf between the top flight and lower leagues, Rochdale’s MP has warned.

Commenting on next year’s 40 per cent increase in parachute payments, which will give the three relegated clubs from the Premiership a record £60million next year, Simon Danczuk said the Premier League had to stop throwing a few crumbs to lower league clubs like Rochdale and treating them as an afterthought.

“The Premier League is creating an uneven playing field that is getting worse and worse,” he said. “They are rewarding failure by throwing millions at relegated clubs from the Premiership – for four years no less – while handing out a derisory amount of money in solidarity payments to the rest of the league. If the national game is to make the most out of all the talents in our 92 football league clubs then we really need to see a fairer distribution of money.”

He added that Rochdale had more than proved itself as a breeding ground for top talent and it was time lower league clubs got more recognition. “The Premiership is full of ex-Rochdale players and that’s a testament to the fantastic work the club does in bringing on talent,” he said. “Whether it’s Grant Holt at Norwich, Adam Le Fondre at Reading or Rickie Lambert at Southampton, these are all players who owe something to Rochdale and are performing at the highest level.”

Mr Danczuk also rejected the view that high parachute payments were needed to help clubs with players on high Premiership wages. “There is nothing to stop clubs writing clauses into contracts that say if you get relegated your wages will be reduced. We should be encouraging good business not reckless financial mismanagement. Any business I know that needs four years to adjust to changed market conditions wouldn’t normally stay in business.”

With over £5bn from TV rights alone pouring into football’s top division and the Premiership getting richer every year, Rochdale’s MP said he was concerned that smaller clubs outside of the top flight were being stripped of their ability to raise revenue.

“I want to see clubs like Rochdale in a strong and sustainable position where they can plan and grow accordingly,” he said. “But, under new rules, if Rochdale produces the next Wayne Rooney they’ll only be able to sell him on the basis of how long he’s been on Rochdale’s books rather than ability. I think this is wrong.

“We’ve also got the Premier League talking about abolishing FA cup replays, which generate much-needed income for clubs like Rochdale, and I know many lower league clubs are really being clobbered by expensive policing bills. It’s getting harder and harder for smaller clubs to dream of doing a Wimbledon and climbing through the divisions all the way to the top because there isn’t an even playing field.”

He added that if we only focus on the Premier League at the neglect of lower divisions then ultimately this is not good for the national game.

“When we see players like Craig Dawson stepping out for England we should remember it was Rochdale that gave him his chance. And when we see a club like Bradford stepping out at Wembley for the League Cup final we should appreciate the kind of talent that exists in the second division. I don’t think the Premier League fully recognise this.”