Club’s fear over youth proposal

ALAN HARDY: Athletic’s chief executive was voting on the proposal at a Football League meeting today.

Premier League seeking change to players’ fees

ATHLETIC admit they are concerned over plans to make it cheaper for Premier League clubs to recruit young talent.

At present, fees for players leaving the Football League for the top flight are arranged between clubs — or, failing that, a tribunal.

But pressure is being applied to introduce a new formula to standardise compensation payments, based on how long the player has spent in the youth system.

“In the case of someone like Scott Spencer, where we negotiated the fee we received, under the new system it would mean a considerable reduction,” said Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy, referring to the deal that took the 17-year-old striker to Everton five years ago in a deal which could have been worth as much as £600,000 including add-ons.

“The new elite player performance plan (EPPP) commits clubs like ours to spending more on youth development, but Premier League clubs can take our players for less money.”

The EPPP went before a vote of Football League clubs in Walsall today.

As well as the issue of compensation, Athletic’s peers will also be affected by the planned abolition of current rules preventing top-flight clubs recruiting players from more than 90 minutes’ travelling distance away.

To push the changes through, the Premier League have withheld part of the annual ‘solidarity payment’ to the Football League on condition that it is passed.

“I would like to hear what the Football League are recommending on the matter,” Hardy added.


ATHLETIC'S ‘Family Football Festival’ which takes place around the Wycombe game this weekend features a penalty shoot-out at Little Wembley between 1.30pm and 2pm, with anyone who scores three goals entered into a draw to win a signed football.
A climbing wall, bouncy castle, samba band and face painting will all be present in the car park behind the Broadway Stand. Family tickets are available from the club for £30 and must be purchased in advance.