Episode 8 Late Kick Off East

After years of financial boom-and- bust, his football finally about to

put its house in order? Tonight, you can judge for yourselves.

Enough is enough, with their game heading for financial meltdown, it

is time to put the end to demand gloom. I don't know how many clubs

are insolvent at it -- insolvent out of the 72 in the Football

League, but I think it is his huge percentage. We have a new segment

on the FIFA Fair Play rules and how they will impact the game. We will

say a reduction in players' salaries going forward.

And is this man the answer to England's prayers? It is time for

you to have your say on the great Grant Holt debate.

Yes, good evening, good to have you with us. A packed programme once

again, including highlights of today's B game in League Two,

Southend taking on cruelly. That B game. Perry Groves with me tonight,

nice to see you on time. Also with me, Adrian Forbes, currently of

Lowestoft Town. Good evening. First, no fewer than a quarter of

the country's 92 clubs have entered administration in recent years,

including a fair few in this part of the world, but are we about to

see an end to the boom-and-bust culture in the game? That is the

plan as financial fair-play rules come into the Football League from

next season. John Upton Park report. next season. John Upton Park report.

They form a huge part of any local community, with thousands of fans,

hundreds of staff, football clubs spend millions in search for

success. When it goes right, no one complains. But when it goes wrong,

it is the local committee that suffers. The administration period,

while difficult for all involved, will give stability to the club in

What state you think footballers in at the moment? What state? I think

Football League chairman -- the Football League chairman was very

clear, awful. I doubt there how many clubs are insolvent out of the

72 in the Football League but I should think it is a huge

percentage. It is long overdue but football is finally waking up.

Financial fair play is coming and not a moment too soon. Uefa are

driving financial fair play. Their total or the big clubs in Europe,

what they spend and what they make. The income for all of depression

that professional clubs is �10 billion across Europe but

expenditure is �12 billion. It is unstable and something has to

change. What is proposed is that for next season, clubs in the

Championship, including Ipswich and Peterborough, would work to a new

breed even model, were they can only spend what they make. -- break

even. If not, they can face fines and bans. The Revenue we generate

has to match the expenditure that we spend on behalf of the club.

There is a level of deviation that is allowed, certainly for the first

6-8 years and that will be reduced year on year. The implications of

not breaking even within that deviation figure means that clubs

will be fined and that money will then be distributed among the other

clubs. How does it affect a club like Ipswich, who have historically

live beyond their means? Last count, there debt was �66 million.

How sustainable is Ipswich? Bury sustainable. We are very fortunate

to have it usually supportive owner in the form of Marcus Evans -- very

sustainable. His desire to support the team and to build a team here

that can take promotion through to the Premiership at the earliest

opportunity has not waved one iota other than a -- last few seasons.

Stevenage are a club hoping to be playing in the Championship next

season and are also hoped that also helped by a wealthy owned it. Phil

Wallace has been but -- running them for years, and there are a

model for most. The chairman has to earn the trust of fans by making

the right decisions and not putting the club into bankruptcy and not

going down that slippery road. That is not easy, because fans want to

win. It is funny, but share men want to win as well. -- chairman.

It worries me to see some of the Premier League finances, because

they are relying on the past and hoping that the future is going to

be as successful. When you look at clubs like Man City, they want to

buy the lead. Look at Crawley, they want to buy the lead. But do they

have the financial backing to keep them solvent? There is one area

where football clubs can make big savings, the players. They might

have to get used to live where salaries become more realistic.

is going to have to impact players' salaries going forward but speaking

to Peers across the Championship, everybody is facing this and what

we will definitely see is the reduction in players' salaries

going forward. Are you ready for salaries to drop? I think you have

got to have in the back of your mind that it may have to drop but

as a player, you should be paid watch you feel you deserve. Again,

this is football, it is the business and it is not fair on the

fans to see clubs going into administration and having financial

difficulties, but as a player, you have got things that you need take

care of two. The need to lower player wages is obvious. It

Ipswich's case it is around 80% of their entire turnover. Clubs like

Southend are already restricted by a salary cap, which restricts the

player wages to 60% of turnover. Next year, clubs in League One will

introduce a similar model. So financial fair play is here to stay,

but on its way out it seems is the football creditors rule, which

allows clubs and players to be paid in full if the team for some two

administration, while other creditors have to accept a fraction

of what is owed. If you took that away, it fire and then playing a

team in the FA Cup and I know they are insolvent -- if I am then

playing a team in the FA Cup and I know they are insolvent and they

are taking my share of the money, how am I going to feel if I have

not been paid for months? I don't know how football can operate

effectively if the football creditors role is removed. Equally,

would I sell a player to another club on a 12 month instalment plan

if I thought they wouldn't pay? will find the most successful clubs

and football are the ones without too many changes behind the scenes

and they will deal with the evolving landscape best. Players

and agents might be the biggest losers. Few will complain on the

terraces if football manages to balance the books.

Adrian, in this region, Ipswich and Northampton amongst others have all

gone into administration but you were at Luton when they had their

financial problems. Yes, a very difficult time. I was playing

first-team football, regular football, but I also had a family

to support, so the players at that moment in time were getting no

money from the club. The none at all. How did that go on -- how long

did that go on? It was just shy of the year, I actually left and went

to Swansea before recouping any of the money. So you went a whole year

before you were paid? Physically no money coming in, say you need an

understanding bank manager and have any funds behind Jude... And an

understanding wife! Supposedly they were living outside their means.

Definitely. And what we heard there is a good idea. Luton is a great

club and that was obviously the case then and it was fundamental

errors made upstairs that forced the club into administration. I

keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't happen to the club again.

Do you think the financial fair play a role will make any

difference? I'm a bit sceptical. They said from 6-8 years, you have

implemented and I don't think all clubs will go for it. But it.

Average players earning big money. The top players will still earn big

money -- it will stop average players. But something has to be

done, because we have seen Portsmouth, Rangers, Port Vale,

they have all suffered financial problems in recent weeks. Something

has to be done. I don't see why football is different to any other

business, any other business running insolvent we wouldn't be

able to trade. If you want to buy a football club, but a big deposit

down and if you get in financial trouble, you use that and you get

your deposit back like if you buy a house. Let's look at the current

fortunes of the team on the pitch. Actually, back to off the pitch

problems with Jimmy Bullard and Michael Chopra at Ipswich, of

course. Both of them had a bit of a night out, one has been fined, one

has been suspended. What you make of that? One is very important to

the team and the other is on the periphery. It doesn't surprise me

they have been treated differently because it happens in football

clubs. It was sanctioned night out by Marcus Evans and both of them

decided to find their own entertainment elsewhere and

obviously, their alarm clocks didn't go off. Had you think they

will react in the dressing room? think the lads will know what is

going on and they will know why the manager has made the decision with

regards to the punishment he has given. If you look at Michael

Chopra, it is well-documented with the trouble he has had with his

life outside of football and taking football away from him, different

people react in different ways and I think that that situation, it is

I think that that situation, it is easier to keep him playing. Baby

Paul Jewell got it spot on, because he got the opening goal. It was his

100 Club goal as well, so... That is Michael Chopra or smacking it

over the crossbar but this is his first goal. A good cross and

Michael Chopra puts them 1-0 up. Tommy Smith played for New Zealand

in the week, at 24,000 mile round trip. He got a goal as well.

Unbelievable. He is like Villiers fob, I wouldn't mind having his air

form. They have won five out of six and they seem to be going in the

right direction. It was documented early in the season that they

didn't have a good time. Paul Jewell came on and they couldn't

win, but now everything seems to be going to plan. And there is that

man, Tommy Smith. It was a good delivery from the corner from Andy

Drury. He has not been offered a contract, I know he wants to stay.

They will get inside. This was probably the goal of the game,

Michael Chopra laying it off and no chance for David James. We recent

form will be tested tomorrow against Southampton, the league

against Southampton, the league leaders. Southampton are a tough

task for anyone at the moment and they are looking very comfortable

for promotion, but Ipswich will be full of confidence and it will be

an interesting 90 minutes. Let's That is not too bad for Ipswich.

Five wins out of six. They have turned around their home form. It

is -- as an Ipswich fan, you would be happy. Ipswich play Southampton.

Ricky Lambert, a former team-mate of Grand hold, wants to emulate him.

There is a big debate, do you think he should be called up? Well, for

me, the England team, it is going through a transitional period at

the moment. Stuart Pearce came out and said he wanted to pick a

younger squad. I would say that he deserves an opportunity at the

moment because he is scoring goals. bustling centre-forward. I just

think that at international level, We asked for your response on

Well, there is a selection of your tweets. Kevin Davies played for

England. Yes. The only thing I would say with Grant told is this

his first season in the Premier League, and you get your first

season free. In the next season, if he does the same, he will have a

better claim. And what about John Ruddy? He has had a superb season.

His performances have been superb. You wonder whether Norwich is a

smaller club at the moment. A few of their players have been

overlooked. Grant Holt, Paul Lambert wasn't quite sure he could

play. Yes, but John Terry was given a torrid time at Carrow Road. Grant

Holt has improved. The jury is out until next dear. Back to the

Championship and football. Peterborough went to Crystal Palace

and a disappointing result for them score a lot of goals. Tyrone Barnet,

he looks lively. Yes, and he gives them a bit of pace. He has got a

lot of confidence. That is a decent save. If you are playing up front

with Peterborough, they have had good chances. They are 10 points

clear of the relegation but it is one win in 10. They need to find

their form quickly. They are playing at home in next eight

matches. You make your home therefore Trust. The fans are the

12th man. That can be the difference in promotion or

relegation of. Paul Jones, he gets caught up. He hasn't got to punch

his highest point. So Crystal The games that are left, it is do-

able, if they can concentrate on their home form and see how many

drawers they can take. Star Tin tomorrow night. He is their fixture.

Peterborough play Millwall and Ipswich would that tough test away

at Southampton. Commentary will be on BBC local radio.

Still to come, action from tonight's big clash at the top of

League Two, Southend and Crawley, but first, a word about Sport

Relief. Mr O'Leary? Speed King. Or would

you like to do the Sport Relief Mile? I'm sorry. I am doing one

already. If only you had called me yesterday. You will? A brilliant!

Whole you do your support mile with?

You can do the mile or the shirt of heard. We have done this before. It

is you have to wear the opposition's shirt. A driven, you

have to wear and Ipswich showed. What do you reckon? You can pay a

forfeit. Perry, I have got one for you. Weren't you were that? Are I

would rather set my head on fire. - - I would rather have. I will put

money in the kitty rather than where this Norwich shirt. I haven't

even looked down at this showed. League One. MK Dons. A valuable

point. They had so many people go to. You can see the empty bench.

Luke Chadwick does really well. He gets a shot off and hits the post.

It is a difficult place to go, because you know you have to be in

the game. Kyle was on the show and he was bullish about automatic and

getting into that second place. Do you fancy they can do that? They

have got the ability and the players, if the players stay fit.

Obviously, you've got to keep going and keep pushing until it is

mathematically impossible. They like their set pieces. Yes. A great

free-kick from Sean Williams. And then Chadwick, again, unlucky.

They are suddenly pushing for that second spot. They have got the

train back on the rails and they are playing with confidence. Luke

Chadwick, he is experienced, Alyn Smith. This is the table. They have

six points away from Sheffield Wednesday. That second spot is up

for grabs. Notts County, of the teams around them, managed to win

their game, so it was a big point at Hartlepool. Stevenage, a point

outside the play-offs. They got a decent point at Exeter. They were

fighting for their life. They come up against the goalkeeper who

played for marriage. -- who played for Norwich.

Did you play for him? Is a played with him. His career has been

superb. Gary Smith said they paid the price for his slow start. And

they did. Poor defending. Getting completely mixed up. It is a

brilliant goal. Superb technique and volley. Van Persie. It is not

difficult but superb finish. Stevenage are in the blue strip.

Maybe they should have won it. They got an equaliser against

Huddersfield. It was a good point but they haven't won Maxim's the

Spurs game. Has that affected them much? -- they have and won since

the Spurs game. They need to get their confidence back in and they

need to get back into their goalscoring ways. And Stevenage,

their season, and the last couple of years, amazing. They must be

looking forward to their game at Spurs. Looking at them years ago,

to have them clam up, to play against Tottenham is superb. You

hope it doesn't distract from their league form. Confirmation of that

game away at Spurs on Wednesday. Good luck to them. To Colchester

and the return of an old friend, Graham Westley, the Preston manager

now. He is struggling, though. has won one out of seven. He likes

his team to play physically. John Ward take some credit here. It was

a shock that Freddie was left on the bench. Now, handball?

Absolutely not. Let's see it, slow- motion. I don't see what he is

supposed to do their. He does have his hand there, but he was very

hard done by. Steven Gillespie, he is -- his 8th goal of the season.

This is a breakaway. Preston are pressing, great movement between

Bond and Hearn doesn't. Goal of the week? I would say so. They have

taken a bit of stick in the past. That was brilliant. Tommy has come

of age. He is starting to show his form. Some players, they can start

at a certain club but it doesn't do it for them. But they go on to

progress massively. Games coming in thick and fast and a big test for

them tomorrow away at Charlton, the league leaders. MK Dons at home to

Yeovil. For -- full commentary on BBC. There is no pressure on

Colchester. If Freddie Sears goes back again, I wouldn't be surprised.

He has pace. Northampton, 2-0 up at Cheltenham, you fancy they will get

three points, but it wasn't to be. A specially going 1-0 up so quickly.

Obviously, they scrambled the goal at far post from Ben Tozer. Things

were looking good. Akinfenwa were, he out muscles Alan Bennett and

gets his 12th of the season. feels as fit as he has been for a

while. I played with him, and I know him, and he definitely looks

after himself! A transfer three. That one needs to go in. That

should have been an. But he censored in deeper. Johnson, he

told Aidy Boothroyd in the face... They have had one clean sheet in 24

games, that is the problem. You can score all them goals, but if you

are going to leak as many goals as that, you are going to be in

trouble. You just need your players to keep

a cool head, and that was panic stations. Cheltenham had not

conceded four 5.5 hours. So that is a big point for Northampton. They

cannot afford to get cut off at the bottom. They are three points off

safety, Dagenham & Redbridge. Akinfenwa's goals might keep the

mark. Tomorrow night, a massive game at home to Bristol Rovers.

They need the goals. Just to put pressure around the teams around

them. So Northampton have got to build on their draw off. At the top

end, Southend's winner saw them return to the top three. Charlton

could go a second if they beat Crawley tonight. Here is how it

1-0 defeat at Torquay. A wet and windy Knight, posing some problems.

The visitors made the first impression. Billy Clarke, just wide

of the post. It would be an eventful evening for both Clarke

and Bulford. Chances few and far between in a scruffy 45 minutes.

Southend's first opening was midway through the first half. South

Kent's on loan under 19 international with a good patch

after the throw and a sharp shot on the turn. United struggling to find

their rhythm for long periods and nearly paying the price for a

sloppy pass intercepted by Scott Davies. A good save. Harris could

have made amends moments later, breaking clear, but he pulled this

effort wide. No goals at half-time. The game then burst into life on

the hour. Crawley awarded a penalty. The goalkeeper booted out the shot.

Chris Buckler handball on the line. The Shrimpers skipper was sent off.

Southend down to 10. Barker could have few complaints. Latent

handball. Clarke took the penalty. It was saved. A big let-off for the

Shrimpers, but full credit to the keeper on loan from Bury and in

tremendous form. Southend down to 10 and reduced to nine when

substitute Liam Dickinson was hurt shortly after coming on. Dickinson

will have three -- one of three players disciplined recently, he

damaged his ankle. He was stretchered off. This was a big

blow for the run-in and Southend having used all three substitutes

were down to nine. Desperate defending in the closing stages,

but they kept the visitors at bay. But finished 0-0. Sow them stay

third and maintain a gap between themselves and Crawley. And the

A great performance by Kim. It looked like Crawley were going to

win that. He carried on his form from Saturday. They won 2-0. That

is his second clean sheet. It is a good time to be having that

defensive quality. We hope that injury isn't too serious. He is the

top scorer. He has got 12 goals this season. He did twist his ankle

badly but fingers crossed from Southend's point of view he won't

be out too long. The fixtures, they are not too bad between now and the

end of the season. They have got to Cheltenham, Torquay and Oxford.

They are the best of waiting in the division. It is looking good for

them. -- the best away. They are looking good. I am quietly

confident. And Lowestoft? Could they get promoted? We RFU points of

the top with a few games in hand so fingers crossed we can be there are.