The Football League Paper says...

130 not out, but still lots of work to do

YESTERDAY was a special day for the EFL – the 130th anniversary of the first-ever Football League matches. Bolton’s Kenny Davenport was credited with scoring the first Football League goal against Derby, though there wasn’t a happy ending for his side. The Rams hit back from 3-0 down to triumph 6-3!

Preston North End’s ‘Invincibles’ of 1888-89 also went on to lift the FA Cup that season. Some start, eh!

Since then the Football League and their clubs have continued to write history, but there have also been challenges.

A quarter of a century ago, the Premier League muscled in on the scene and the Football League saw their top clubs snatched away.

Nowadays, the Football League are facing even more tests of their ability to stay relevant. How we watch football is changing and the EFL are keen to explore what live streaming can do for their clubs.

It is a controversial issue, as fans going to games provide colour and atmosphere. Will they still go if they can watch from the comfort of their own sofas? The die-hards will, but the floaters may disappear and gates could suffer.

You’ve also got supporters who believe the EFL need to do more when owners mismanage clubs. As you can read on this page, fans of Blackpool and Charlton are going to protest outside EFL offices in Preston and London next Friday. It’s hardly the birthday party the Football League would have wanted.

Some fans have concerns that lower division outfits will become feeder clubs for the elite in future years and want assurances that will not happen.

There is a lot of pressure on the EFL to stay ahead of the game. Suggestions of a Premier League 2 would go down like a lead balloon with them. The next 130 years are going to be fascinating…