18 Aug 2008Fees paid to agents increase

Football Clubs News | Football Finance News | Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

Clubs in the Football League have increased their combined spending on transfer fees by 78 per cent in the last season, with the amount paid to agents also increasing.

A total of £81.5 million has been spent on transfers compared to £45.8 million during the previous season.

The amount paid to agents has also increased with £11.1 million passing to agents during last season - 14 per cent of the money spent on transfer budgets.

Lord Brian Mawhinney said that it was important that the increase in spending had not been coupled with similar increases in payments to wages.

"These are now at their lowest levels since we began publishing these figures four seasons ago," he explained.

Leicester City were the biggest spenders in the football league and despite being able to shell out £1.63 million on agents between July 2007 and June 2008, they were relegated.

Stoke City paid out £1.32 million but were successful in being promoted to the Premier League.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Mr Mawhinney said that football clubs needed to be wary of their financial actions.

"Football clubs are an essential part of their communities and communities are hurting," he revealed.

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