Saints has to be one of the clubs he's referring to

[SET]

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Football-In-Recession-Big-Clubs-Could-Go-Bust-In-Credit-Crunch-Doncaster-Rovers-John-Ryan/Article/200901315204952?lpos=Business_First_UK_News_Article_Teaser_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15204952_Football_In_Recession%3A_Big_Clubs_Could_Go_Bust_In_Credit_Crunch%2C_Doncaster_Rovers_John_Ryan

 

A respected Championship football club owner believes there may be "some big casualties" in the game as the credit crunch bites.

 

Doncaster Rovers' John Ryan (L) celebrating his team's Coca Cola League 1 Playoff Final win in May, 2008

 

Rovers boss John Ryan (L) celebrating his team's playoff final win in May

 

Successful businessman John Ryan, who has hauled Doncaster Rovers from non-league to Championship, told Sky News: "I think the cold wind of recession has hit virtually every club."

 

Ryan has poured an estimated £5m of his own money into Doncaster Rovers during the club's climb to the second flight of English football.

 

But he knows the time has come for clubs like his to survive financially without help from wealthy benefactors.

 

I mean, who knows? But when Woolworths can go bust, after 99 years in business, who knows?

 

"I have a passion for my hometown club, Doncaster Rovers," said Ryan, who has owned the club for 11 years.

 

"I said I wanted to do it when I was 20, so that was a calling for me really. But, if it was a business decision, I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole."

 

His comments come midway through a January transfer window when, Manchester City apart, a certain reality is dawning.

 

"In the next few months, you might see some big casualties," said Ryan.

 

Rovers is run without debt, but plenty of others are not, and a number in the Championship - according to Ryan - could call in the administrators at any time.

 

"Anyone that's got massive debt is going to find the bank on their back, giving them a real hard time, possibly putting their interest rates up.

 

"And that's going to put even more pressure on them, so it's not good times."

 

Rovers, currently struggling in the Championship, have seen their wage bill rise from £800,000 to £5m - almost 60% of the club's annual turnover - in just over four years.

 

The club has been clever enough to negotiate players' contracts so relegation will mean pay cuts - and four of the clubs' players are on £100,000 bonuses to stay up.

 

"I think football's been in recession for a long time," said Ryan. "But it's been buoyed up by various benefactors that have bridged the gap between profit and loss.

 

"And now a lot of those benefactors probably are finding times a lot tougher."

 

Recession means that clubs will find it more difficult to get companies to keep advertising with them or take executive boxes.

 

But Ryan believes, in the long term, recession could prove to be football's saviour.

 

"In a strange way, it might bring it back to reality. I think that's the problem with football, it lives in this fantasy world."

[Mole]

An interesting read, but nothing none of the more level headed posters here didn't already know. Saints have been a runaway train heading for administration for some time now so when it happens it won't be a shock.

 

But Ryan believes, in the long term, recession could prove to be football's saviour.

 

"In a strange way, it might bring it back to reality. I think that's the problem with football, it lives in this fantasy world."

 

I also share his opinion of there being light at the end of the tunnel. Administration is inevitable for SFC so if you accept the inevitable you have to look for the positives once it's happened. Post admin i'd expect us to hit rock bottom within 2 seasons and from then on in the only way is up. We just have to get it on NOW and take the points hit NOW. Then we can consolidate in League 1 and then hopefully start to rise again.