League expects more clubs to mirror Derby's crisis

The Football League said yesterday it expects "a lot of clubs" over the next two years to face the wage crisis that has afflicted Derby County this week. The cash turmoil at Pride Park was finally resolved when the Rams' players and footballing staff were paid their salaries for August.

The League and the Professional Footballers' Association have monitored events at Derby closely in the past few days, with this latest dispute flaring so soon after Bradford City narrowly avoided going out of business in the summer. The League has made it clear that the problems that have affected Derby and Bradford are the tip of the iceberg. "The Football League are aware that there are a lot of clubs who are facing a cash shortfall, which is hardly surprising," its spokesman said. "The collapse of ITV Digital means that First Division club are £2m-2.5m light.

"It's very difficult on clubs in that position. There's no question that a lot of clubs, without their directors putting money in, would not be viable. Whether we will see anyone go into administration, we don't know, but the next two years are going to be very difficult.

"But football clubs are very resilient and let's not forget it's been 10 years since a club had to leave the Football League for these reasons."