We may, in our frustration, fire off brickbats at Managers, Players an even fellow posters on this Forum, but the root of Pool’s problems happened over 60 ago, long before many who frequent this forum were even born. On Jan 16th, 1961, the maximum wage for footballers was abolished. Up until that date, a footballer could only earn a maximum of £20/week in the season, and £17/week in Summer. Few of them were on that top rate. The day after that change, Pool released those players they felt were not absolutely necessary. Pool hung on in Div1 for about six years, but then slipped into Div 2. They nearly made it back in the following season, but lost out on goal average to QPR. They DID make it back two years later ( at Deepdale ), but only lasted one season in the top flight. Seven years in Div 2 preceded a 29 year stint bouncing between Divs 3 and 4. The Oystons had the Club. There was little or no investment. In 2007 Pool got back into Championship through astute management by Simon Grayson, who left after an approach from Leeds. Ollie arrived, and all the rules were broken, with Pool going straight through that fiercest of leagues. He defied the logic of Big Clubs always win because they generate more revenue through gate receipts and merchandising. It couldn’t last ! The Oystons resolutely refused to throw money at it and down we came again. Ollie nearly surpassed himself by bringing us up first time, but again, we fell short.
A drop to L1 followed in 2015, but with a new owner we came back in 2021. Sadly it didn’t last long, and we are where we are ! Blackpool are not a Big Club. We can’t compete with the “Haves”. Pool are an intermediate sized Club. There are plenty of smaller EFL Clubs, which are usually Town based, and a throwback to an Industrial past. Pool are a seaside resort which attracts the biggest crowds when football isn’t played. The Super Casino might have changed things, but that too evaporated. Pool have a loyal ( and vociferous ) fan base of 10k. but that isn’t enough to generate the kind of money needed to buy and pay the kind of player that the fan base would like to see in tangerine. Our best bet is probably to grow our own, and Pool are indeed pursuing that option.
TV religiously follows the Big Teams. They take the Lion’s share of the revenue, and often pay beyond even their means. They get a slap on the wrist. EFL teams get points deductions. Is it fair ? No !
A bit long winded I accept, but it all started in 1961. The day after that rule change ( in Court) Fulham offered Johnny Haynes £100/week, and the ball started rolling to what we see today.
It is what it is. I suppose we would love it if we were in that Big Club bracket, but we’re not. Most of our opponents this term will be about our size and level. The last time NC was here we had to wait a while until he settled on his best team. Let’s hope he does quickly. It’s hard to watch……. at the moment.
A drop to L1 followed in 2015, but with a new owner we came back in 2021. Sadly it didn’t last long, and we are where we are ! Blackpool are not a Big Club. We can’t compete with the “Haves”. Pool are an intermediate sized Club. There are plenty of smaller EFL Clubs, which are usually Town based, and a throwback to an Industrial past. Pool are a seaside resort which attracts the biggest crowds when football isn’t played. The Super Casino might have changed things, but that too evaporated. Pool have a loyal ( and vociferous ) fan base of 10k. but that isn’t enough to generate the kind of money needed to buy and pay the kind of player that the fan base would like to see in tangerine. Our best bet is probably to grow our own, and Pool are indeed pursuing that option.
TV religiously follows the Big Teams. They take the Lion’s share of the revenue, and often pay beyond even their means. They get a slap on the wrist. EFL teams get points deductions. Is it fair ? No !
A bit long winded I accept, but it all started in 1961. The day after that rule change ( in Court) Fulham offered Johnny Haynes £100/week, and the ball started rolling to what we see today.
It is what it is. I suppose we would love it if we were in that Big Club bracket, but we’re not. Most of our opponents this term will be about our size and level. The last time NC was here we had to wait a while until he settled on his best team. Let’s hope he does quickly. It’s hard to watch……. at the moment.
UTMP
