Celtic gone

Years - even months - ago, we could all still convince ourselves (if we wanted to) that the bigger we were the more protected our club was from the either buffeting of external events, or the self-administered type of financial irresponsibility that we're all too familiar with (Glazers beware)

But three clubs - Kings Lynn, Chester and now Farsley - going at this level of football in such a short space of time is surely a warning sign to everyone; it just isn't business as usual. At whatever level - including the Portsmouths, Liverpools and Manchester Uniteds of this World - we can't keep living in the comfort zone.

And as far as clubs outside of the big three current ones, there are some big threats homing into view for all top clubs; the broadcasting regulator Ofcom wants to reduce the amount of money Sky can earn from selling its channels to competitors (the fuel for the TV deal), and the ongoing development of the internet as a platform for delivery of sports-rights; both things that will have something to say about the old financial certainties.

That rather misguided thought that a ‘big club' going bust will sort out the problems as it'll make us all take notice and suddenly reform needs no analogy of an alcoholic promising to reform themselves to show that's total nonsense, pure and simple.

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