Footballer's financial demands criticised in programme

It's an interesting new development in the world of football finance when a chairman criticises a player in his programme notes for his financial demands.   But then the chairman concerned is Ken Bates and the player does not appear to be too popular at the moment with the fans.

In his remarks Bates makes a comparison with the financial challenges at nearby Sheffield United.  He argues that 'it's tough out there and it's going to get tougher.'   This is the second time in a week when I've not been clear where people in football are getting their economic forecasts from: certainly not from the consensus position of private forecasters, let alone the Office of Budget Responsibility.

I asked a Leeds fan I know for his views and he said, 'Bradley J is a solid box to box midfielder who can score a few goals, but he's nothing special. Bates is broadly right (can't believe i'm saying that), but he shouldn't splash it all over the programme.'