As FFC columnist Sam Hollis travelled to Anfield to support his beloved Luton Town last night, he fears for the future, as the disproportionate distribution of television money is slowly killing off smaller clubs.
On Saturday I had the privilege to visit Old Trafford for the first time. The atmosphere was incredible and the football stunning. Although the stadium easily fulfilled my childhood expectations, I found myself wishing I was at Kenilworth Road instead.
This is for two reasons. Firstly, my heart will always lie with the Bedfordshire club, and no matter how pristine a day I had, I would still rather watch Luton Town lose to Swansea City. Secondly, and more poignantly to the point I am trying to make, I found myself feeling extremely guilty at feeding the football parasite I so deeply despise.
In 1992, English football struck a deal with BSkyB which allowed them to force football fans to pay to watch football for the first time in its history. Since this date, the way we watch the beautiful game has never been the same.
Right at the top of the game is the Premier League clubs. Back when the deal was made, Sam Chrisholm took Rick Parry, the chief executive of the Premier League, to Scotland to show him Sky's operations. There he convinced Parry that the future of the game was pay-per-view; forcing fans to pay for each game. Parry, whose job it was to get as much money as possible for the 22 Premier League chairman, understandably loved the idea.
While not wanting to divulge into a history lesson in football, it is clear to see the winners. The Football League has not got a ‘history' section on their website. Since they formed in 1885, they stood for all aspects of the game, amateurs and professionals, whatever level that may be at. Now, after they sold out for the money, we see the elite at the top, and clubs struggling to stay in business down the bottom. Previously in the twentieth century the double was nearly impossible and was achieved only three times. Since 1992 and Sky Television's takeover, it has been won five times by two different clubs.
When I was standing at Old Trafford, I saw the best player in the world fall over in the penalty area. Rob Styles declined the offer to award a penalty. The Portuguese international then looked to the heavens, which, rather conveniently, is where the North Stand holds the majority of television cameras. I then wondered why I was there.
I went to Anfield last night to see a spirited side lose. While I know that all divisions are not steeped in honesty and pride, I can't help but think that I may not have a football team to support in near future. All thanks to the association that only really care about one league.