Money, money money – let’s get over ourselves

By CandH blogger Allen Cummings

Isn’t it time we stopped beating ourselves up over whether or not we can or should compete financially with the recognised top six?

Sean’s recent post on the ever-increasing gulf between ‘them’ and ‘us’ – and by that I also include the rest of the Premier League – is another clear indication that in terms of financial clout, it’s a lost cause!

That’s not a defeatist attitude, heaven forbid. I’m the eternal optimist in all things West Ham. It’s a realistic view. With the best will in the world it’s not going to happen.

On the pitch we’ve shown we can compete with the very best. Wins against Manchester United and Arsenal, a ‘moral’ victory over Liverpool, a draw with Chelsea and only a dubious penalty away from a similar result against Manchester City are all clear evidence this current West Ham team are capable of going toe to toe with the top six.

But off the pitch it’s a very different ball game – and sadly always will be.

I’m no mathematics geek pawing over spread sheets, but it’s obvious to me the odds are stacked heavily against us in almost every department of financing. The move to the London Stadium has given us a boost in potential revenue that comes from home attendances in excess of 55,000 compared to 35,000 at the old Boleyn.

But that is not enough on its own to address the imbalance – income streams for the top Premier League clubs go a lot further than just putting bums on seats. Besides hasn’t there just been a local furore over the increase in prices for next season.

So how do you increase revenue – and at the same time restrict price increases? Imagine the response if our board hiked prices through the roof. Mirroring the season ticket pricing of the Spuds, as revealed by Sean on ClaretandHugh today? There would be hell to pay!

With overseas TV money next season likely to be stacked in favour of the already flushed top six, Champions League rewards ever increasing – along with worldwide merchandising, the gap is destined to become even more insurmountable.

The situation could be unbelievably depressing if you allowed it get to you. But is there any point? Not in my opinion. Life’s too short.

I just want to see my team trying to play the kind of football I believe in – hopefully winning more than we lose – with the occasional top scalp to our name – maybe a trophy in our cabinet – and on a stage that remains the best in the world.