Sport

Premier League agrees new spending cap after ‘majority of clubs’ vote in favour

It wasn't a unanimous decision.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 29th April 2024

The Premier League has reached an agreement in principle on a new spending cap for all teams as the English top flight looks to replace the current Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Set to be installed from the 2025/26 season onwards once fully ratified, revised spending limits will placed on teams in the first division, the number for which will be calculated in relation to a multiple of the money earned in prize money and TV rights by the lowest-earning club in the Premier League.

If approved at the AGM (annual general meeting) this June, the new model will replace the existing PSR system under which multiple clubs have broken FFP and been charged with other breaches over recent years, with Everton and Nottingham Forest having already been deducted points this season.

Although 16 of the 20 Premier League clubs reportedly agreed to the newly proposed regulations, four clubs were not in favour, with Manchester City, Man United and Aston Villa all said to have voted against the decision, while Chelsea chose to abstain.

The proposed spending cap wouldn’t come into effect until the 2025/26 Premier League season.

The new max-spending model is being referred to as ‘anchoring’ or ‘tethering’, which will take into account total amounts spent on buying players, weekly wages, agents’ fees and more.

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If successful following a final vote in June and brought through the season after next, the aim is to curb the increasing financial gap between the top and bottom of the table by preventing things like big sponsorships which may otherwise see clubs assert massive spending power during transfer windows.

According to the Independent, cost controls will now “limit club expenditure on salaries, signing and fees to 85 per cent of total revenue” for those not competing in European competitions.

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This comes after Premier League teams previously the latest UEFA rules that will see those playing in the likes of the Champions, Europa and Conference League only allowed to spend 70% of that revenue, given the added financial uplift from qualifying for these tournaments.

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While 16 yeas were enough to see the initial vote move forward, it will only require 14 out of 20 clubs to agree to the rule change in June for the motion to be fully passed.

A Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) spokesperson said: “We will obviously wait to see further details of these specific proposals, but we have always been clear that we would oppose any measure that would place a ‘hard’ cap on player wages.

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“There is an established process in place to ensure that proposals like this, which would directly impact our members, have to be properly consulted on.”

It will be interesting to see how these new rules will factor into the wider decision-making regarding Man City, with 115 breaches of UEFA’s FFP regulations still looming over the City Football Group.

What punishment could Manchester City face for FFP breaches?
Over a year on and they’re not closer to finding out their fate.

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Featured Images — SonoGrazy (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sport

Manchester City split opinion with new home kit for 2024/25 season

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester City new home kit for next season 2024/25

Manchester City have officially unveiled their new home kit for the 2024/25 season and it’s safe to say the central feature has left fans divided.

Dropping shirt fresh from having taken control of this year’s title race going into the final day of the Premier League this weekend, with a record-breaking four in a row now looking more likely than ever, you could argue there’s no better time to reveal how they look while defending the trophy next season.

However, amongst the supporters – be they Blue or otherwise – it seems that a lot of people have been left torn over one key, defining detail on City‘s new home shirt.

It’s that pesky ‘0161’ again.

Yes, as you can see, although not much has changed on the kit made by Puma and it’s still very much sky-blue, the design of Man City’s 24/25 home shirt revolves almost entirely around the number 0161.

Designating the area code for Manchester phone numbers and having become a shorthand for the city for as long as we can remember, while it may be a recognised bit of slang predominantly used by the younger generation, it isn’t one that everyone necessarily likes.

Think of people who hate it when anyone says ‘Manny‘.

As always with new football shirts, the debate is split right down the middle; plenty of fans are labelling it “cold” and saying “what a beautiful kit”, others are saying they “hate it” or find it “cringe”, and a very big chunk lie somewhere in the middle – or “mid”, to quite many of the comments from youngsters.

Honestly, the further you scroll the less it seems like there’s a consensus on this one.

Just a handful of the varying reactions to City’s divisive new home kit. (Credit: X)

Naturally, a lot of people have simply quipped “Same every year” and others just seem to have grown tired of Manchester clubs calling on ‘tired’ emblems and references like 0161.

Featuring not only the new collar but also the cuffs of the sleeves and obviously being central to the launch advert and their entire marketing strategy, the angle doesn’t chime with everyone.

Local fan Charlie told us: “I’m personally not a massive fan of it. I understand they’re trying to connect with the youth a bit more and almost mix it with street culture, but it just seems super tacky”.

Another lifelong Blue added: “I don’t think it looks as bad as the leaks made out now I’ve seen it on but I still think the constant pandering to MCR is cringe from both [City and United]. If they have to do it just keep it on the third shirt, even though you can’t actually see the 0161 that much.

They really hammered it home by getting Manc rapper Mike ‘Tays’ Taylor (known as Tays MCR online) to write a whole song themed around the number 0161 for the kit launch, though the reception to the song and the video itself has been largely positive.

The 24/25 City home shirt is available to buy online and in stores now.

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Personally, we don’t mind the whole 0161 thing over here at The Manc and, let’s be honest, most footy kits don’t change that much year on year, do they?

Yes, it might not be hugely different or distinct from previous years under Puma but, as many have also written in the comments, they still probably end up going and buying it anyway.

What do you make of Man City’s new home kit for next season?

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Manchester City/Puma

Sport

Stockport County to supply thousands of free PE kits to local kids

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stockport County giving free PE kits to local kids

Newly promoted Stockport County are set to supply free PE kits to thousands of school kids in and around the local region.

Fresh from another successful domestic campaign, climbing back into League One as Champions after 12 years, the Greater Manchester side is making sure to translate the progress seen on the pitch this season into more positivity across the Stockport area too.

The brand-new initiative set up by the club’s Community Trust arm will see more than 3,500 PE kits delivered to school children across the borough in time for the new term this September, with the goal of handing out a further three-and-a-half times that amount by the end of 2025.

Focusing on primary school ages specifically, the hope is to get more and more kids active and participating in football, sports and other forms of physical education from an early age – a deeply important cause when it comes to the next generation.

Stockport County are hoping to give out thousands more free PE kits to Stopfordian kids by September 2025.

Teaming up with school wear manufacturer Trutex, the scheme will ensure that kits adhere to most schools’ standard PE requirements: white polo shirts, a pair of black joggers and a pair of black shorts.

Better still, the brand has agreed to provide these kits to County and, in turn, to primary school pupils at a significant discount. The importance of drives like this cannot be overstated given the ongoing cost of living crisis being seen all over the country.

Pressures on the family purse continue to be a contributing factor for primary school children not taking part in PE as many families with disposable income struggle to afford the cost of a new PE kit every term.

As per an official release from the club, half of the local primary school children get their main exercise from PE at school and, sadly, 30% of primary school leavers go into secondary education classed as obese.

That’s where initiatives like this can help make all the difference – as does their regular County Camps sessions, not to mention the annual ‘County in the Park’ event, which lets kids play on the actual pitch at Edgeley at absolutely no cost to parents.

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Even more concerningly, it was found that not only is turning to school without a PE kit an immediate obstacle that sees many kids sit out lessons but research also found that children were reluctant to borrow PE kits from schools out of embarrassment.

County Community Trust CEO, Alison Warwood, said: “Not having a PE kit, shouldn’t be what stops children from taking part in physical activity. The school’s ‘lost and found’ bin sadly comes with a playground stigma and if children are to enjoy PE in school, they need their own kit to take pride in. 

“As a result, the Club’s owner, Mark Stott has agreed to fund 3,500 PE kits for Stockport primary school kids in September, targeting families most in need, including those who fall outside of traditional indicators such as universal credit and the pupil premium, receiving little-to-no help.”

In the town’s most deprived areas, it’s thought that up to 90% of primary school children could benefit from an initiative such as this. So, the club are also aiming to raise enough money so that it can provide 12,500 PE kits for primary school children in 2025, with £2 from every Stockport County shirt sold next season going towards funding the kits. A great idea for an important cause.

Hatters fans or those simply looking to help do their bit can also make a direct contribution via their dedicated JustGiving page HERE. Let’s make sure the next generation keeps moving.

Credit: Stockport County

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Featured Images — Supplied

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