FOOTBALL: ONCE THE PEOPLE'S GAME, NOW THE RICH MAN'S TOY

""Football started as an outlet for the working man because life was so rubbish that he had to go and do something and take his mind off his problems.That something was standing on a miserable terrace somewhere at a ground where there were absolutely no facilities whatsoever.Catching the odd glimpse of a ball in the masses of people. That was more than fun in an era where there was not wall-to-wall reporting or comment and the local papers opinion held some sway. That is the very basis from where footballs popularity grew.We are so far from that now, where you have got to spend a hundred pounds a month subscription on a stupid TV network to watch game after game after game, most of which you dont care about.Football has become an extension of peoples financial concerns and that is immoral and irresponsible.""

Paul Casson, Barrow AFC owner