Clubs must rein back spending

JOE ROYLE

THE plight of a number of financially-stricken clubs does not surprise Joe Royle.

The Professional Footballers’ Association is reported to be paying wages at four league clubs teetering on the brink of being forced into administration.

And the Athletic manager believes clubs will have to economise due to the current economic downturn.

Royle said: “Why should football be immune to what is happening in the world at the moment?

“I think clubs all over the world will be looking over their shoulders.

“God forbid where football in this country would be if Sky ever decided to pull the plug and take their money out of the game.”

Royle believes there is every possibility clubs could fold as crowds dwindle, with fans unable to afford to go to games.

He added: “People don’t have money in their pockets and it isn’t cheap for parents to take their kids to a match.

“All clubs have to look at their finances carefully and cut their cloth accordingly, and that includes ourselves.”

Royle pointed to the plight of Charlton Athletic as a prime example of how things can go drastically wrong.

They are on the verge of tumbling from the Premier League to League One in the space of two years and have reported debts of £21million.

“They are on the verge of going into the third tier, have financial problems and all their players are up for sale,” said Royle.

THERE was a new addition to the Royle family on Friday when Joe became a grandfather for the first time.

Son Darren’s fiancee Eva gave birth to an eight-pound girl, Elizabeth Francesca, who will be known as Libbi.