Southern Bias

[BillEBadass]

This debate can be seen in many different lights however I would offer the following - In the Premier League it doesn't really matter because the money comes from TV where ever you are. To a much lesser degree that also relates to the Championship.
In Leagues 1 and 2 where there is money either individually or in a richer area those clubs would have the advantage.

In the National league geography must play a part. If you take the obvious sugar daddy clubs out of it, how is it possible for southern teams, with virtually no support, to pay the wages for decent players who beat us on a regular basis? Maybe they have 'sugar daddy' boards and no sustainability but they still take points off us.

The current governance has my 100% support but it makes it a lot harder for us to compete on financial terms with richer Clubs, many of whom appear to be based in the south of England. We have been badly let down by the Welsh Assembly re: support for upgrading the Racecourse - they have given £millions to south Wales sporting facilities. The same goes for our local Council. If we had better facilities we would be more attractive when attracting players - they obviously have to consider the money but in tight decisions our facilities could tip the balance.

We only have one way out of this League - a total community effort - meaning large crowds and support in all other fund raising activities. I believe this is possible and we are heading in the right direction both on and off the pitch - sadly I doubt I'll be around to see the final success.

[NottsRed]

Originally Posted by DoomandGloom

I believe there is some basis of an idea here and that it is why the part-time southern sides do OK on not so great budgets. Decent part-time players can get a reasonable wage from their football playing and it's a supplement to their day job. Why would they, unless they have huge self belief, go down the route of signing for a club and taking just that wage with the associated risks that go with it, e.g. being released.

That's the thing. Some of those part time wages down south won't be far off of fulltime up here.

[draigwrecsam]

Originally Posted by Chunk

You forgot to include Burnley, Huddersfield and Leicester

That wouldn't suit his agenda!

[Superunknown]

Thought it'd be interesting to see how things shaped up now the season is drawing to a close.

Prem - Man City
Championship - Wolves
League 1 - Wigan/Blackburn
League 2 - Accrington Stanley
NL - Macclesfield

All (pretty much) Northern.

Guess we'll just have to accept that we're just shite rather than a southern bias

[Willywill]

I have been to London and Cardiff recently and I felt like it was another world. Investment everywhere, jobs available. Bleeding folks from their rural homes. Sounds dramatic, but it’s true. Lower league football must be effected by these so called facts of life. Saying that, I would rather my meagre existence in the country any day!

[Superunknown]

Originally Posted by Willywill

I have been to London and Cardiff recently and I felt like it was another world. Investment everywhere, jobs available. Bleeding folks from their rural homes. Sounds dramatic, but it’s true. Lower league football must be effected by these so called facts of life. Saying that, I would rather my meagre existence in the country any day!

Oh no economics wise I totally agree. I lived in Cardiff for a year and it really is a beautiful city but like you said absolutely worlds apart from up here.

I don’t dispute that southerns Club do probably have an advantage in this way but just thought it was interesting that northern clubs were champions in every league which makes it all the more impressive. Obviously moreso for Macclesfield and Accrington rather than Man City and Wolves!