League 1 would throw up some exciting derbies

10:57am Thursday 17th April 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

IT is interesting that, after a couple of bad results - the defeat at Lincoln and the home draw with Chester - people start to pick up their pens to release the venom inside them about how the club is run and how the team plays.

Occasionally, we get letters with no address and unsigned. Those usually find their way to file 13, the dustbin, immediately.

The overwhelming theme would be that the club do not want to be promoted; that we cannot afford to go into League 1.

I have never heard so much mindless drivel in all my life.

We have worked hard to get into this position and there is no way you can stop players in full flight with their determination to be playing League 1 football next season.

As far as affording that level of football - yes, of course it would be more expensive; players would expect more money and so the wage bill would go up considerably.

But then, obviously, there would be more income.

I would imagine that many people are not aware of the Football League monies that are distributed to clubs.

Of the pot that the Football League has to share out, 80% goes to the Championship clubs, 12% to League 1 clubs and 8% to League 2 clubs.

So there is an evident increase there, although not a massive one.

When we assess the prospects of the opposition at League 1 level, there could be three or four reasonably local matches in Bristol Rovers, Swindon, Cheltenham and, possibly, Walsall.

There is the prospect of Leeds or Nottingham Forest, or both, still being in the Division next season.

And there is also the prospect of a big Championship club such as Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester or Coventry , so there is a potentially massive increase in away support coming to Edgar Street and, with that, an increase in revenue.

It was a great feeling last Saturday to have finally secured a play-off place, mathematically.

After the two setbacks against Lincoln and Chester, all the character that is required for a successful side came through.

By the time you read this, we hope that those same characteristics will have been shown again at MK Dons.

We have had tremendous support away from home this season. It does make a difference and, with 14 away victories plus some outstanding cup performances, I feel that the players have repaid that dedication and sacrifice that supporters put in by travelling the length and breadth of the country to support us.