By Nathan Jackson
July 30 2008

Steff Wright has criticised points deductions imposed on clubs. The Imps opener against Rotherham United is still in doubt because of financial difficulties at the Millers. City still don't know for definite what is happening and whether the game will still go ahead, a bit of a worrying thought given that the season kicks off in ten days.

It's now been six years since the collaspe of ITV Digital and it still seems almost strange that no League club has gone out of business in that time. However, that could be about to change as Rotherham United are probably the closest any League team has been to extinction since York City were literally five minutes away in 2002/3.

The Millers are set to suffer their third points deduction in as many seasons. Not many League Two sides have had points taken off them since the sanction against teams going into administration came into play. Cambridge United, Boston United, Rotherham United and one or two others have all had points taken off them since the rule came in and Steff Wright believes that the sanction spoils the competitive nature of the division.

""I think for clubs to start the season where it's unlikely they'll do anything other than be relegated takes away the integrity of the competition," Wright told Radio Lincolnshire. However, Wright didn't rule out punishing teams for spending more than they can.

He continued "However clubs need to be punished for financial misdemeanours because if they continue to overspend and gain an unfair advantage from it, that in itself creates an imbalance."

Steff Wright is one of the men responsible for turning around Lincoln City's finances off of the pitch. Along with Rob Bradley, Keith Roe and several others, he helped save the club back in 2002 by making personal sacrifices and I personally don't think he gets enough credit for the job he has done since Rob Bradley left in 2005.

Wright hits out over points deductions

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 30/07/2008 23:01

theimps.tk
30/07/2008 23:01

Wright hits out over points deductions

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lincoln.imp
30/07/2008 23:25

What other option is there but a points deduction? To fine a club that is already in finacial difficulty would seem pretty stupid. Relegation would seem to be even more harsh than a points deduction. So if not points what punishment should there be?

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PoshImp
31/07/2008 00:06

I have been saying for quite some time now that this riduculous 'points deduction' system is wrong. Luton have already lost 30 points. Bournemouth, Rotherham and maybe one other team in our league could also lose points or, in the case of Rotherham might lose their league place altogether thus making a mockery of any 'relegation battle' in our league next season.

Teams like Rotherham should simply be removed from the Football League and suffer the consequences.

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niceimp
31/07/2008 02:08

Well, Leeds started last season with a 15 point penalty and still managed to make the play-offs. In theory, a Club could start with minus 30 and still avoid relegation. What is the alternative? Some Clubs are serial offenders which would appear to suggest that past punishments have not been severe enough. It is those who attempt to live within their means who should be rewarded rather than easy "get-outs" for those who learn no lessons and try to bend the rules. And who leave creditors with next to nothing. Those who suffer are the fans. If, for example, Rotherham were to be excluded from the Football League, they would not be accepted into the Blue Square Premier nor is there any reason why they should be. Idem for Luton. At least they stay alive, have their share in the FL and, in the worst case scenario, get relegated to the Blue Square Premier. I know which scenario I would prefer.

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plumbob
31/07/2008 07:58

Points deduction or relegation is the only fair sanction. Yes, its harsh on the fans, but so is charging £20 a head to watch some of the dross dished up!
Its slightly hypocritical of us Imps to go along with this, but it is the only solution. And its the only one that is fair to fans of every other league club.

My only wish?

These same rules are applied to the clubs in the top ranks that have acrued multi-million pound debts in pursuit of Premiership and European glory. Then and only then will it be a totally fair solution.

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lincoln.imp
31/07/2008 08:23

Quote:

plumbob
Points deduction or relegation is the only fair sanction. Yes, its harsh on the fans, but so is charging £20 a head to watch some of the dross dished up!
Its slightly hypocritical of us Imps to go along with this, but it is the only solution. And its the only one that is fair to fans of every other league club.

My only wish?

These same rules are applied to the clubs in the top ranks that have acrued multi-million pound debts in pursuit of Premiership and European glory. Then and only then will it be a totally fair solution.

I do not think it is slightly hypocritical of us to go along with this. Yes we were fortunate that these rules were not in place when we went into administration, but as you say it is the only soultion. If that is the case it hardly makes us hypocritical.

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CheshireImp
31/07/2008 09:59

Quote:

PoshImp
.
Teams like Rotherham should simply be removed from the Football League and suffer the consequences.

dont 4get we were in somewhat the same financial situation a few years ago . I assume you wouldnt have wanted that to happen to us lol

There is enough money in football in the country to have a "slush fund" to help clubs like this . and before people say " its the clubs fault" , like i said we were very nearly out of business ourselves . "There but for the grace of god" and all that

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plumbob
31/07/2008 12:04

Sorry Chesh. I'm sure you get my drift. Perhaps "hypocritical" was the wrong choice of word.

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PoshImp
31/07/2008 12:15

Quote:

CheshireImp

Quote:

PoshImp
.
Teams like Rotherham should simply be removed from the Football League and suffer the consequences.

dont 4get we were in somewhat the same financial situation a few years ago . I assume you wouldnt have wanted that to happen to us lol

Ah, but, Rotherham have done this two or three times now, and they have lost their spiritual home. That is no comparison whatsoever with LCFC. My point is that habitual offenders should receive the ultimate sanction; demotion, by as many leagues as it takes!

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Rob Peel
31/07/2008 12:39

In total agreement the likes ofLuton and Rotherham should not be allowed to consistently go into adminsitration....Its not the fans fault they are the ones that suffer......

But as Steff Wright correctly states they are gaining an advantage....Take Rotherham how have they signed 6 new players surely they should have a transfer embargo

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Born_To_Do_Dishes
31/07/2008 16:10

Quote:

plumbob

These same rules are applied to the clubs in the top ranks that have acrued multi-million pound debts in pursuit of Premiership and European glory. Then and only then will it be a totally fair solution.

The difference with them is that their revenue streams are large enough to pay their creditors the agreed fee every month. Besides Leeds finally got their punisment for over spending, did'nt they? Slowly dropping down the leagues then hit with a 15 point deduction. All their debt was from chasing the dream of european and league titles.

The rotherams of this world borrow money and don't pay it back.

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warringtonwhite
03/08/2008 17:31

here's a Leeds fans perspective

you all voted for the 15 point sanction funny when it was Leeds wasn't it well


live with it not a jot of sympathy for any of you

OLD SCHOOL; LEEDS UNITED IS FOR LIFE NOT JUST THE GOOD TIMES

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plumbob
03/08/2008 17:37

Not a jot of sympathy from me either. We were just lucky to have had it happen to us before these sanctions.
Had we lost 15 points, we would only have lost out in the play-offs one less time!!

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