RUFC - FL Chairman forecasts 'difficult year'

Lord Mawhinney, Chairman of the Football League, has told Sky Sports News, that he expects that, economically, it will be a difficult year for a lot of league clubs.

But, he went on to say, 'It's not because the clubs are run badly, its's because of the national economy, which is not in good shape.

'People will spend money on what they are interested in - but only after they have dealt with the necessities of life. Because the national economy is not in good shape then I expect people to be spending less on their interests and that could well mean spending less on football.

'There will always be the fanatic football supporters who will go whatever but there are other people who will say, 'I'd love to spend on football but I have to stay warm and put food on the table' which have higher priorities than football. Therefore, I think this might be a difficult year, financially, for a number of clubs.

'My advice to our clubs is to review their budgets and make sure they are administrated as tightly as possible.'

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