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No TV money, no Coronation Street for me

27/ 3/2002

SOCCER: Lee Glover says a drop in ITV Digital cash will cripple smaller clubs, in his weekly Macclesfield Express column.

It was yet another good win for the lads on their travels on Friday. It was nice to give our travelling support something to cheer about.

They must, as the manager does and players do, think that if only our home form had been as good we would have been in a play off position.

That's something that we need to put right.

It was great to see 'Tippy' open his account for the club at Hartlepool.

It is difficult moving clubs and everybody needs time to settle.

Now he can go on and become a regular scorer for the club.

But even his goal was overshadowed by a magnificent performance in goal by 'Willow'. He showed his true value to the team.

It seems that another dispute is brewing over TV money. This time it is the clubs themselves who are being short-changed.

The clubs may even ask fans to stop watching Coronation Street and Emmerdale as a protest.

The dispute is about the payments made to clubs being reduced.

These payments were already agreed in a contract, now ITV Digital wants to reduce it.

For a club like us, this money will be budgeted for already.

Most small clubs will use this money to sign players or improve facilities.

To reduce these payments will cripple a lot of Third and Second Division clubs.

An example of cash problems was seen at Darlington, where supporters had a whip round to pay for their goalkeeper last week.

The lad was on a 'non contract', so didn't get paid.

It was also alleged that if he didn't play, then midfielder Neil Maddison was going in goal.

I think these problems are set to get worse. It will all boil down to finance.

With approximately 600 players out of contract and TV money to be reduced, it is a precarious position for players and clubs.

On the positive side, I will be glad not to watch Coronation Street!