Wealthy clubs hold all the aces

Simon Corney

PARK LIFE: SIMON Corney revealed at the recent supporters' meeting the scale of the mountain a club of Athletic's size has to climb in order to reach the play-offs.

The managing director of Athletic told the assembled crowd at Radclyffe School, who were present to hear about the directors' plans surrounding the proposed move to a new ground at Failsworth, that the top annual wage budgets in League One are much bigger than those of his own club, and are often funded by wealthy backers.

Corney said that from talking to fellow directors, he understands Leeds United's wage bill tops the list at around £8.5million, followed by Charlton (£7.5m), Norwich (£6m-plus), Huddersfield (£5m-plus) and MK Dons (£4.75m).

Perhaps it is no coincidence that those sides, in addition to a Colchester United club funded by wealthy benefactor Robbie Cowling, occupy six of the top seven places in League One at the moment.

Corney also used the meeting to state clearly that the move to Failsworth is a must if Athletic are to progress.

According to Athletic’s directors there is no other suitable site for a new ground, with space for the associated facilities that will help fund the club, in Oldham.

And Corney also reassured fans that if the move does not transpire, Athletic's owners would not walk away.

"We know that Boundary Park is an emotional thing for many people," said Corney, who added that the value of the site had halved to £9m from the £18m it was valued at two years ago as a result of the recession.

"We have fallen for the place. It is where we started. But I genuinely don't see any alternatives.

"There isn't a 'Plan B' and we would have to stay in a dilapidated stadium (if Failsworth doesn't come off).

"It will not be the end of the club, though, and you will not see us put the club into administration.

"There are 10 clubs on the brink of administration in League One, but we are held up by the Football League as a model on how to run a club prudently.

"So many clubs are on the brink. Huddersfield have a very wealthy owner putting in £5m a year and good luck to them.

“But if he was to walk away, they would be in trouble."