31 Aug 2010Championship football clubs 'see transfer income slump'

Football Finance News | Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

England's Championship football clubs are experiencing a significant drop in transfer revenue compared to 12 months ago, according to a new study conducted by a partner at financial services firm Grant Thornton.

The Guardian has reported that Geoff Mesher's Football Transfer Tracker report indicated that incoming revenue from player sales has fallen by £52 million year-on-year, with spending on new playing talent down by almost half at £21 million.

"To look at the revenues alone is to lose focus on the expenditure side of the business. With the top-line increase in broadcast rights, clubs also have a cost increase in player wages to attract players," Mesher explained.

Championship teams brought in a total of £102 million through selling footballers in the 2009 transfer window, but sales this year have fallen to a total £30 million ahead of the end of early-season business.

Despite Mesher's concerns, the division retained its place as the fourth most-watched league in Europe last term, beating the Italian Serie A and Germany's Bundesliga.

Written by Paul Roberts

© Copyright