Carlisle United boss gives view on new independent football regulator

The Carlisle United manager says he hopes the new proposals will have a positive effect on the sport.

But he says it is crucial that it is not overrun by those who do not have a knowledge or feel for football.

“What we need is people who understand football to be running it and not somebody who hasn’t got a clue about football,” said the United manager.

It was confirmed last week that the government plans to create a regulator established in law “to oversee the financial sustainability” of the men’s game, and put fans at the heart of how football is run.

United have welcomed the idea with chief executive Nigel Clibbens describing it as a “once in a generation opportunity” to address institutional failings in the running of the game.

Carlisle are also among the clubs in the Fair Game movement which campaigns for bettre regulation and fairer redisdribution in the wider game.

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Manager Simpson said he hopes it is something that can benefit clubs at Carlisle’s level, though he acknowledged that the power of the Premier League remains undeniable.

“I think the big thing they’re talking about is trying to regulate the owners, and making sure they are fit and proper, whatever you want to call it, and trying to get a better spread of money coming down to the grassroots and lower levels,” he said.

“If they can do that, brilliant, it’s gonna help us.

“I think the Premier League and EFL are really well-run organisations. I’m at Carlisle United so I believe there should be a better spread of finances coming down to our level.

“On the other side, I know everybody all over the world wants to look at the English Premier League, so they hold all the aces.

“I hope it’s a positive paper, I hope it’s something that can have a positive effect, and we can all be better for it.”

Simpson, asked about the subject by BBC Radio Cumbria at a recent press conference, added that Carlisle were grateful for the help of Premier League and Championship clubs.

He said that without their financial support with deals for loan players, it is unlikely United would be doing so well this season.

Simpson said that should be acknowledged in the debate about the levels of finance that should come down the pyramid from the top.

“I look at it as not just as straightforward as ‘we get x-amount of money from the Premier League pot or the football pot’,” he said.

Simpson acknowledged the help Carlisle have received from Premier League clubs with loan players, such as Nottingham Forest's Fin Back (Image: Richard Parkes)

“If I look at our circumstances, this season we’ve had a Nottingham Forest player, and players from Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace…we couldn’t afford those players if we didn’t get help from those clubs.

“The fact that they’re not actually giving our club money, but helping us with their finances to bring players in, we’re doing them a favour by developing their players, but they’re also doing us a favour financially.

“It’s easy for me to say. It’s not me having to put my own money into the club, but I think Premier League clubs understand the value of Football League clubs and they do help us.

“I’m really grateful for the help the bigger clubs, if that’s how you want to term it, have helped us out financially this season. Without that help I don’t think we’d be in the position we are.”

United’s manager also spoke of the importance of clubs operating within their means – something else that has motivated the introduction of the regulator, in the wake of the collapse of clubs like Bury.

“It’s massive. Huge. But that’s do to with people going too far and spending too much money, more than they’ve got,” Simpson said.

“It’s the same in life. If you go into a supermarket with £20 you can’t expect to get £40 worth of food. That’s what clubs have done, unfortunately.

“Some of the clubs who struggled financially have paid more out in salaries to players than they’ve actually got.

“I don’t have a problem with players earning as much money as they can. But if a club can’t afford it, they shouldn’t be giving it. That’s why clubs go out of business because they’ve overspent.

“If there is a way that can be regulated and governed better, brilliant. It’s the way forward to try and keep as many clubs in existence as we can

“I’ve heard this said before – we’re just the custodians of the club for the time that we’re here. The supporters are the ones who are with the football club all their lives normally. They’re here through the thick and thin.

The collapse of Bury FC is among the motivations behind the new regulator (Image: PA)

“They want to see it done properly. They also want to see a successful team.

“When directors, chairmen, owners get all excited and want to try and get a little tick in the box, they go and overspend. That’s something I don’t want to do at this club.

“I want to be successful but I don’t think we can overspend. We’ve got to think about the future of the club and do what’s right. Until I’m told we’ve suddenly found a little pot of gold, I’m going to spend it as if it’s my own money to make sure the future of the club’s right.”

Simpson added that he believed fans should have a central say in how their clubs are run – but not in every last respect.

“I remember a few years ago the Hull City owner tried to change their name, change colours, this sort of stuff. Fans have every right to disagree with that,” he said.

“They need to have a say.

“I’m not saying supporters should have total say about how the club’s run. We have to trust the owners to do it properly. A manager shouldn’t have a full say on how a club’s run either, because I don’t have a business background.

“What I would say is fans have to have a say on things like that, and their voices are strong enough to be able to do that.”