Sixty per cent of Premier League clubs and 57 per cent of Football League clubs are in favour of a greater distribution of revenues within their leagues, while 80 per cent of all clubs would back a fairer distribution of riches across all leagues.
Predictably, 50 per cent of Premier League clubs object to greater redistribution to the Football League, but opinion is fundamentally split with 40 per cent wanting greater distribution.
The findings form part of the 5th annual State of the Game 2005 report, compiled by Birkbeck’s Football Governance Research Centre in association with business and financial advisers Grant Thornton.
"The game is at a cross-roads", says Professor Christine Oughton, director of Birkbeck's Football Governance Research Centre. "The Premiership is experiencing a growing crisis with stagnant attendances and a lack of a competitive balance."
"Despite seeing the football bubble burst with more than 36 clubs going into administration in the last 10 years and many others having to drastically tighten their belts, debt remains a big issue", says Joe McLean, a football finance expert at Grant Thornton.
Eighty-three per cent of clubs remain "concerned" about the levels of debt they are facing (up from 79 per cent last year) and 22 per cent are "very concerned".
"More clubs want a fairer distribution of TV revenues, because the current financial model upon which the game is based is too risky for proper long-term
planning," continued McLean.
"The fact that eight out of 10 football clubs believe a better distribution of revenues would reduce risk and tackle competition is a clear signal that unless a more level playing field is established through a better sharing of resources the game is destined for further difficulties. Attendances will continue falling, competition will remain stifled and interest in the game will wane being mildly rekindled only when the big games take place," he added.
Research also revealed that, overall, progress among football clubs in England and Wales in improving corporate governance standards is continuing to head in the right direction, albeit at a slow pace.
Nearly all clubs now approve a one-year business plan with more clubs now conducting a form or risk evaluation.
