THE BUSINESS OF FOOTBALL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XVIII, Issue XVIII, 13 November 1912, Page 2

THE BUSINESS OF FOOTBALL.

There is much interesting information in an article in the "World's Vvoik on the business of Association football in Great Britain, by one who has taken a. prominent part in its government. The writer estimated that the leading clubs are capitalised at a sum exceeding £2,000,000, but explains that none of them are proprietary concerns. No club under the control of the Football Association is allowed to pay more than five per cent as a dividend, and directors are not permitted to receive payment for their services. The Association and its subordinate body, the League, have power at any time, with or without notice, to demand the production of all books and other documents to aiscertain whether a club is observing these rules. Money that might swell dividends, if it were not for the rules, goes in various other ways. Some of the accommodation Tor spectators is luxurious, the players are well paid and well looked aiter, and the clubs, the League, and tne Association give large sums to charity. A system of transfers is governed by j rigid rules. A club wishing to secuie a man from another club must first approach his club, for the professional is regarded as the property of his employers. Directors of clubs know what they are about when they pay these huge fees. When Middlesuorough was in danger of being relegated to the second division of the League it induced Sunderland to sell Common for £1000. Common's skill kept Middlesborough in the League, to the great advantage of the Club, for descent to the second division would have meant a considerable decline in receipts and public interest. A good player fares well financially. His transfer fee may be £500, or as much as £1500, of whicii he gets a share, and his salary of £4 a week for five years is probably supplemented by other earnings in the summer. When travelling he goes first class, drives in cabs, and altogether lives in luxury. At the end of a few years he is given a benefit. The writer does well to point out how few professionals there are in the Association game compared with the number of amateurs. The professional clubs number 400, with 7000 membere, but there are 13,000 amateur clubs, with 750,000 members.