Crippled lower-league clubs split over offer
EFL clubs are split on the merits of the controversial Project Big Picture and were last night desperate for additional detail given the immediacy of their financial crisis. sources bemoaned the furore surrounding Premier League special voting rights and restructuring of the pyramid as a sideshow amid the crippling mess in their three divisions. concerns have been raised over EFL chairman rick Parry’s involvement and lack of communication, while there are significant differences of opinion on the make-up of the deal. The threat of seven clubs falling into administration over the coming weeks remains. There have been vocal supporters of Parry’s plans, devised with Liverpool and Manchester United. Fleetwood chairman andy Pilley and Dale Vince of Forest Green rovers have backed the reforms, although others in Leagues One and Two are less enthused. The championship is also split, with one executive saying: ‘We are in a beggars can’t be choosers situation. What do we do? Bow gracefully to bigger clubs? ‘We are not in a position to argue but this is totally the wrong time to restructure English football. Don’t realign the pyramid for self-interest purposes.’ Others bemoaned the ‘disgraceful timing’ of the news as the EFL pleads for a £250million bailout and suggested that ‘poison was all over’ the proposals. rather than special voting powers, clubs wondered why an independent regulator could not be appointed at the top to protect the game’s sanctity. They noted the prospect of scrapping the carabao cup and increasing the number of permitted loan players was omitted from a guidance document sent to clubs by Parry on sunday evening. Fears over top-flight autonomy regarding loan players — essentially where they are sent and obligatory game-time — had been festering among clubs prior to sunday’s announcement. One source said: ‘They are holding a gun to the other clubs’ heads and saying, “We’ll throw the gun away, but we run your life in exchange”.’ There was also sadness yesterday when David Baldwin, recently appointed EFL chief executive, announced he would step down. The League insisted the move was not because of Project Big Picture. Baldwin is said to have a real grasp of the difficulties facing the member clubs and how to tackle them.