Parry has a lot on his plate at EFL
NEW EFL chairman Rick Parry appears to be walking into a minefield – but it won’t bother the experienced former Liverpool bigwig one bit.
Parry, 64, was the major force behind setting up the Premier League in 1992. He later went on to become Liverpool chief executive, and will testify that the changing of football’s guard doesn’t come without its problems.
The clandestine meetings, the many fallouts, the gamble to get into bed with Sky, gave the Premier League a rocky start. Now Parry is preparing for his latest challenge – helping to sort out the crisis which has enveloped the EFL.
Parts of it can be traced to the financial power of the Premier League. The Championship clubs – some of whom have risked their future to win promotion – are rebelling against the latest TV deal with Sky, believing it under valued.
Breakaway
That has led a group led by Leeds United and Derby to suggest a breakaway, possibly forming a Premier League 2.
Then there is the threat from Middlesbrough to sue the EFL over the controversial sale of Derby’s ground to allegedly bypass Financial Fair Play rules. Sheffield Wednesday and Reading are also facing scrutiny for the same reason.
All this is on top of the many clubs in the lower reaches of the EFL constantly battling to stay afloat due to increasing debt.
Bury’s hopes of being readmitted into the EFL in League 2 next August were extinguished at Thursday’s special meeting which fully endorsed Parry’s forthcoming arrival as its new chairman.
Parry lives in Chester where the former EFL club went out of existence before reforming and now abiding in National League North.
It’s some in tray for Parry to consider but it’s never been plain sailing for a man with a good record as a chilled negotiator.
Just weeks before the Premier League was ready for lift off Parry recalled: “In the final Premier
League meeting before the start of the season 14 of the clubs had walked out over a sponsorship issue.
“It was then a case of shuttled diplomacy, going backwards and forwards trying to arrange meetings. Clubs ultimately need to be civilised.”
Now his powers are needed to bring together the warring factions in the EFL, a challenge he won’t shirk.