Goole AFC needs help

Published on 7th August 2008 in Letters

Sir - I just found out that Goole A.F.C. (a football club three miles down the road from Howden, where I grew up) has gone into administration because they owe the Inland Revenue £30,000.

Now, I understand that's bad, and I don't condone getting into that position, but, consider this, Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly earns £120,000 PER WEEK. Manchester United and Liverpool FC, both recently taken over, are in debt to the tune of a collective £700 million... yet they survive.  I understand that Goole are well down the pecking order, but come on... we need to be doing more for these clubs who so need help to simply survive, not just for them, but the community who follow them.

The Premiership collectively was/is paid over £1 billion between 2007- 2010 for commercial broadcasting rights. At the moment I believe this is split between the clubs (earning £28 million per season each), and the Premier League. Why can't perhaps £200 million of this £1 billion (20 per cent) be distributed down the leagues, so every club in the country benefits? After all, we so often complain that the England team and competition generally is suffering as a result of Premier League/Big Four domination, so perhaps it's time to spread the wealth, and help clubs like Goole.

As a Hull City fan, I have felt the wrath of winding-up orders and administration before, and I wish Goole AFC the best of luck in surviving this difficult time.

Oliver Drew