Well, what can I say? A pretty dismal start to the season has left most of the supporter base demoralised and calling for some sort of change at the club. Most seem to want Knighton to leave altogether and for a new owner to come in with a management team to take over the coaching/managing of the squad. Where from, exactly? The only possibilities that I can think of are Eddie Stobart, Wiseman Dairies and possibly the Swinton Insurance family. The only one of these with the financial clout and possible interest is the Swinton Insurance family. With their redevelopment plans for the 14MU site Carlisle United could be a useful publicity vehicle for them. As for Eddie Stobart and Wiseman Dairies, do they have enough resources to buy the club and push it upwards?
Also, we have to consider the fact that what sort of businessman would Knighton be if he didn't make a profit on his investment? With members of his family working at the club he has a substantial incentive to remain until he can make a return on his investment. Therefore I think that, at the most, we will see him step down from involvement in team matters and return to the boardroom.
Personally, I have an awful gut feeling that it is all too late. With the game now run by cash, prinicipally from TV, and sponsorship deals up for negotiation in the next few years I have to think back to the Accountants' report a couple of years ago that recommended the reorganisation of the league structure. I now think that this will be an inevitability. The possible structure could be :
| F.A. Division 1 | 16 teams | No automatic relegation, bottom two teams play off against the top two from F.A. Division 2. | |
| F.A. Division 2 | 16 teams | No automatic relegation, bottom two teams play off against the top team from each regional F.L. Division 1. | No automatic promotion, top two teams play off against bottom two in F.A. Division 1. |
| F.L. Division 1 (North/South) | 20 teams in each | Automatic relegation of bottom two teams to relevant Division 2. | No automatic promotion, top team from each regional division play off against bottom two in F.A. Division 2. |
| F.L. Division 2 (North/South) | 20 teams in each | Automatic relegation of bottom two teams to relevant regional non-league structure. | Automatic promotion, top two teams from each regional division. |
While this is not perfect and would require the integration of the Football Conference. It would also be the effective end to professional football at many clubs. However, with all the power now resting with the top clubs and the financial incentives pushing them to protect their top-flight status, I think that something along these lines is now certain.
C'est la Vie.
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