Cash is flowing out of

[davieG]

English football like never before, according to a report by Deloitte. Their annual review of football finance shows that net transfer fees paid by English clubs - the difference between the amount spent and the amount earned on transfers - rocketed from £81mill in 2002/3 to £263mill in 2003/4. Overall spending on transfers also bounced up again to £414mill after a substantial fall in 2002/3 from £407m to £203m. The amount of transfer fees leaving the English game to overseas clubs or agents was a record £263m.

A little bit dated but still relevant I think, considering the impact Chelsea have made since 2003/4.

The English fans through their entrance fees and Sky subscriptions are enriching overseas FAs and Agents.

[Guest]

Wage caps, and compensation to clubs for cancelling contracts, that's what needed. Take the fees out of the equation.

Although, it doesn't stop 'brown envelopes'. Shut up Lisa!!

[Anish]

Chelsea were probably responsible for most of those figures. They spent heavily without selling any of their stars, and most of their transfers were from foreign clubs.

Statistics can be used to prove anything.

[Nationwider]

I think Anish is right. If you take Chelsea out of the equation, I think Prem wages dropped slightly in 03-04, although the stats in the papers are a bit confusing.

If we don't go up next season, our wage bill will have dropped from about approx. £20M to approx £3M in 3-4 seasons.

I'm looking forward to City/Hull already.