Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Mitchell: Prem cash is still not enough
EDDIE Mitchell has welcomed an increase in funds from the Premier League to the Football League but still thinks there should be a fairer distribution of the pot.[LNB] Cherries, along with all other Football League clubs, are due to benefit from improved solidarity payments following a deal struck with the Premier League earlier this month.[LNB] The move came after the Premier League initially threatened to withdraw the handouts following a dispute over parachute payments made to relegated top-flight clubs.[LNB] At a meeting last month, a proposal to extend parachute payments to four years from two was rejected amid fears it would lead to a Premier League second tier and make it more difficult for clubs to climb the divisions.[LNB] However, although clubs in League One and League Two unanimously refused to approve the plans, the new set of figures were subsequently agreed at a follow-up meeting last week.[LNB] The increased solidarity payments will boost the money each club receives from £108,000 to £350,000 in League One and from £72,000 to £250,000 in League Two.[LNB] Asked by the Daily Echo whether he felt Cherries were getting a fair slice of the cake, chairman Mitchell replied: Not in comparison to the clubs at the top end.[LNB] We are grateful for any increases in revenue and this is a substantial increase. But it is not going to solve the problems of lower league clubs. Every penny helps but we certainly won't be rolling in money all of a sudden.[LNB] We will get less than the league above and more than the league below. I think the ratios might be right but the amounts should be improved to bring us more in line with the bigger clubs. There is too much of a gap.[LNB] We are very thankful for any monies coming into the club outside of what we can earn ourselves but it would be nice if it were proportioned on a fairer basis.[LNB] Mitchell also believes the authorities should be paying more attention to helping clubs improve their stadia and facilities.[LNB] He added: The Football League are very much in place to govern football and are always very interested in helping the community as well.[LNB] But some of the clubs I have seen in the lower leagues don't have the facilities because they haven't got any money. Most of it seems to go to the clubs with the fancy stadiums at the top end and it seems unfair.[LNB] It is a full-time job running our club with the budgets we've got. Compared with a lot of other clubs, we are very fortunate because we have got good facilities and are in a fantastic location.[LNB] Details of any future payment schedule have not been received by Cherries, although previous solidarity payments were divided into two tranches.[LNB]
