Gartside calls for change

Trotters chief wants measures introduced to stop clubs going to the wall

Last updated: 5th October 2008

Gartside calls for change

Gartside: Wants change

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Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has called for a salary cap for the Premier League - which should also become two-tiered.

He believes radical changes are needed to stop clubs experiencing severe financial difficulties upon relegation.

While never a fan of a salary cap previously, he believes one is needed now, as well as a revamp in the structure of the top-flight.

He said: "You have to look at the structure of the league and whether we have a Premier League One and a Premier League Two.

Bust

"We can't go on doing this - we will all go bust!

"The parachute payment is half of the annual payout. This year that would be £8 million to £10 million - but the income swing from being in the Championship is £31 million.

"The gap is too large. Teams who go out of the Premier League go bust. Not everyone, because some will plan for it but certainly some will and it is becoming more difficult to plan for.

"I've never been a fan of salary caps but now I think one is inevitable. That applies to every club. It would be based on some formula based on facilities."

The Trotters chairman also believes existing owners should have some protection as foreign billionaires come increasingly into the league.

At heart

He said: "I feel sorry for Steve Gibson at Middlesbrough and Dave Whelan at Wigan - because they are owners who actually have their clubs at heart.

"I think they deserve some protection now. Dave and Steve have built grounds, covered the debts, bought players and supported managers.

"Now they need protection because the huge amount of money they have put in is becoming insignificant compared to the billions that are flooding in.

"It's a billionaire's game now - not a millionaire's."