Elite clubs should not be adopting win-at-all-costs attitude - Stuart Rayner

“I’m not the right person to have an opinion,” said Marcelo Bielsa last week when asked about English football’s bigger picture.
Doncaster manager Darren Moore: 'If it's not broke, don't fix it.'Doncaster manager Darren Moore: 'If it's not broke, don't fix it.'
Doncaster manager Darren Moore: 'If it's not broke, don't fix it.'

Starting his third season in England, and first outside the Championship, Leeds United’s 65-year-old Argentinian head coach is not steeped in the English game, just football, yet still hit the nail firmly on the head.

“League One and League Two have the essence of English football,” he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Football is a commercial operation, no doubt, but if there was anything to distinguish English football it is the spirit you compete with. This spirit is no better represented than in the lower divisions.”

They are under threat from two sides.

Covid-19 endangers entertainment businesses countrywide but Bradford City, Doncaster Rovers, Harrogate Town and Hull City are more than “commercial operations”. A bad film or disappointing gig does not ruin many people’s weeks like a bad defeat can.

Downing Street’s infuriatingly inconsistent attitude towards socially-distanced fans in stadia and refusal to take responsibility for a bailout is making a very bad situation worse. So are one or two Premier League vultures sensing an opportunity.

There was actually some good in the recent Project Big Picture proposals but it was drowned out by a greed for money and power which offended even fans of those clubs.

What makes English football magnificent is its depth.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s not Spain, it’s not France,” says Chris Wilder, who manages Sheffield United but has worked all the way down to Sunday league level. “Liverpool were in the Second Division when (Bill) Shankly took over, Manchester United (their co-conspirators) have been in it. Leicester and Leeds have been in the third.”

Some big clubs want to annex “lesser” sides and gear up for a European super league. Project Big Picture proposed they could loan up to 15 players at a time to English clubs, up to four in one side. Ferran Soriano, chief executive of Manchester City – owners of stakes in New York City, Melbourne City, Yokohama Marinos, Montevideo City Torque, Girona, Sichuan Jiuniu, Mumbai City, Lommel and Troyes – would go further with B teams in the lower leagues.

League One Doncaster Rovers are a feeder club of sorts, but an independent one. On Tuesday I saw loanees from Stoke City, Southampton, Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion help them to an excellent 4-1 win over Ipswich Town.

“There’s no point upsetting livelihoods trying to find a fix when there’s nothing to be fixed,” argues manager Darren Moore. “The league is exciting enough and there’s enough involvement and engagement in clubs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The current loan system allows you to put your case for emerging players that may not be given the opportunity at the clubs they’re at and develop them further. It helps you get to where you want to go but ultimately it bridges the gap for the youngster to go back to the Championship or Premier League club.

“It’s a win-win situation.”

Win-win situations are what the elite clubs should be looking for. A win-at-all costs attitude towards the pyramid is not.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today. Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click HERE to subscribe.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.