A RADICAL APPROACH

Last updated : 27 February 2007 By Editor

Tony Mowbray:

"It is a surprise to me that we are finding it difficult to get crowds in and is that because there is an air of resignation about what you can achieve? Maybe so.

"This club wants to get into the Premier League and somewhere down the line compete for a UEFA Cup spot.

"That's the height of what we you can achieve. It's quite sad because we should be saying we want to get to the Premier League and in five years be competing to try and win it but it isn't going to happen.

"So, people might be disillusioned. And I'm sure there is a balance to be had with the financial side of it as well.

"Football is expensive these days and fans can become a little disillusioned - going up and coming back down - because the gulf is too big and the teams already up there have too much money to spend.

"That may be happening with the Premier League. Certain clubs are already reducing ticket prices because of the television revenue.

"I read an article the other day about whether football might become free to fans because of the amont of money generated television revenue.

"The grounds should be bursting if you don't have to pay to come in. Will that happen? Is it worth looking at?

"My opinion is that the game is awash with cash at the top end. I don't see why the game is bleeding money from the fans as well. Football is in danger of pricing the lifeblood out of the game.

"I can see the dangers. On one level it's almost glamorous to see players earning £100,000-a-week.

"But is it really? It's not if you are realistic and you see the jobs and money that hard-working family people earn every day of their lives.

"I know it is the entertainment business and there are arguments for and against it. Hollywood stars have lived in big mansions for the last 80-90 years. Where does professional sport come in the entertainment business? I don't know, but it is worth discussing."