Derby’s Middle Finger to the EFL, Ten Year Season Tickets and 300 Capacity Upgrade – Tal
- Sam Greasley-Machin
- Jan 21, 2020
- 3 min read
St. Andrews, home of Birmingham and for this season, Coventry – Geograph (SP0986 )
THE PAST week has been dominated by stories in relation to FFP in the Championship, Derby were charged with excess loses and essentially reacted with a statement that is nothing short of the equivalent of a middle finger. And Sheffield Wednesday released a simply audacious attempt to get some extra funds in to get around the dreaded FFP.
The news isn’t all financial as Portsmouth released designs of an upgraded Fratton Park and Coventry’s progress in the FA Cup means they’ll play host to Birmingham. There’s only one issue, they currently play home games at Birmingham’s St. Andrews. News and reaction to all of this to come is this weeks column!
“As a matter of law, the EFL is not entitled to bring either of the charges, having previously agreed to all of the arrangements surrounding the stadium sale and never having raised an issue of player amortisation before.” – Derby County Statement
Middle Finger to the EFL
Derby County were issued with an EFL statement this week stating an independent commission would adjudicate their punishment in relation to loses over a three-year rolling period. Effectively the EFL now no longer agree that the cash injected from selling their stadium to their owner is acceptable. This is despite the EFL themselves signing it off.
In a reaction statement Derby acknowledge the EFL notice of charges but give the equivalent of a middle finger to the EFL. And rightly so. The governing body ruled the sale of Pride Park to be acceptable at the time, but upon reflection aren’t happy. They’ve got no legal leg to stand on and it really is just one big mess of their own doing.
The EFL have equally been conducting investigations with Sheffield Wednesday and Reading previously, but again there really isn’t much to investigate as they signed the stadium sales off themselves. It’s time they moved up and better corrected their own legislation around FFP.
Most Innovative Way to Beat FFP Yet
From one story of FFP to another, Sheffield Wednesday have also come under fire into relation to their three-year rolling losses and to help combat that have announced the most audacious attempt yet. Ten-year season tickets. Yes TEN – you read that right.
We are delighted to launch two Season Ticket products, one of which is pioneering in the football world..
⬇️ #swfc ⬇️ — Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) January 15, 2020
From the small price of £4,550, with no finance options available, Owl’s fans can grab a ten year season ticket. The ten year countdown doesn’t even come into effect until Wednesday reach the Premier League, which could be some time. Regardless, if anyone has that kind of cash laying around and is a fan of the Sheffield side, it’s a great deal. But, in reality hardly anyone will have that kind of spare change. The Yorkshire side also announced fans who are eager to book their season ticket for the next campaign can now do so.
Playing Away at your Own Stadium
Coventry City inflicted a 3-0 loss upon Bristol Rovers in their FA Cup replay, two teams in the same division – not too much of an upset. There is one problem the winner was drawn to face Birmingham at home, yes a tough feat against a side in the league above. But also because Coventry currently ground share with Birmingham at St. Andrews, leaving the Blues in a weird predicament where they will play away in their own ground. There certainly is still some magic left in the FA Cup.
Disabled group praises ‘tremendous’ Portsmouth plans for Fratton Park’s Milton End #Pompey https://t.co/7ganf2vvOl — Portsmouth Talk (@Portsmouth_TT1) January 15, 2020
Portsmouth’s New-Look Fratton Park
Portsmouth announced new plans this past week to develop their current home of Fratton Park. Currently at just under 19,700 capacity would see them add about a whole 300 seats added. 300, what’s the point? Well the move would see a much larger concourse area and two covered areas for home and away fans.
New PA and media facilities will be constructed under the plans in a move that seems a little pointless when looking at the capacity, but is well needed in terms of the outdated infrastructure.
Why not check out the previous column here discussing the trasnfer window so far, Charlton’s new owners, the best league in the world and more! Don’t forget to follow Talk the Football League on Twitter to hear all the latest Football League news and join in on the discussions @TalktheFL.
By Sam Greasley-Machin
Comments