Premier can show greater solidarity

COULD the Premier League do more to help NonLeague? You bet. But it would be churlish not to recognise some of the financial help they provide lower down the ladder.

Whether that comes through multi-million pound donations to the Football Foundation, solidarity payments or one-off gifts, the Premier League do chip in.

The National League were grateful this week for a £200,000 donation which will help towards the long-awaited play-offs, while their solidarity payments from the Premier League were provided three months earlier than originally scheduled.

That’s around £58,000 to top-flight clubs and £13,000 to National League North and South outfits.

Speaking at a meeting of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee on Tuesday, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters admitted ‘there’s always an argument that more can be done’.

Extending solidarity payments to clubs below the National League divisions would be a great way to start. With income streams completely drying up, there’s never been a greater need.