Survival is still the aim of Grant Holt and his Norwich City team-mates, but on current form they are set to do a lot better than that.
Every rung up the Premier League ladder means more money for Norwich City
Michael Bailey
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
10:42 AM
The official line from Carrow Road may still revolve around a 17th-place finish – but there are seven million reasons why Norwich City would hope to continue their current top-flight form.
The Premier League’s financial structure ensures a quarter of its revenue from television and licensing agreements is awarded to teams based on their final position in the table.
In 2010-11, the overall £1.2bn pot saw bottom club West Ham United walk away with little more than £750,000 – with every additional Premier League place worth the same again.
It meant Wolves, who scraped to safety in 17th, took in about £3m as part of their £40.6m top-flight cheque.
And Fulham – who secured eighth, Norwich’s current top-flight position – picked up a merit payment of more than £9.8m to take their total close to the £50m mark.
Even Sunderland’s top-10 finish brought in £8.3m – £5m more than Wolves, and the equivalent of Norwich City’s reported outlay during the last January transfer window.
The Premier League will not yet reveal the money available for the 2011-12 season, although with the share from international broadcast rights set to increase on last season they expect merit payments to do likewise. Of last season’s £1.2bn Premier League pot, half was shared equally between all top-flight clubs. The final quarter is given out in “facility fees” depending on the number of games broadcast live involving each club.
All 20 sides are guaranteed a minimum fee – which last season was £5.8m – for 10 live games, with clubs receiving a greater share the more they are on the television.
With the Canaries’ disappointing FA Cup exit to Leicester City at the weekend, the Premier League represents sole focus for Paul Lambert’s side this season.
And wherever a so-far memorable top-flight return takes them, chief executive David McNally vowed any bonus Premier League revenue will head straight for Lambert’s Norwich plans.
“The football club is being run as a cooperative and by that we mean any spare cash we generate goes back into the first team squad – so that is what we would do if we had any bonus money this year,” said McNally.
“We don’t have a wealthy billionaire benefactor, so we can’t rely on somebody to write a cheque out at the end of each year. We do have the best owners in the business and they will support their football club through thick and thin, and do all they can to help the club. It has been extraordinary really – we said we would have taken 17th earlier in the season and probably still would, because it means you are certain of Premier League football for next year.
“But I think what Paul and his players have demonstrated quite simply is that they are a very good side. They are a very good team that has earned 35 points from 25 games – and they have earned those the hard way, through their efforts.
“We have got a truly talented squad who are punching their weight and at times punching above their weight to deliver for this club some extraordinary results.
“We are not at this stage concerned about anything else other than staying in the league for next year. The pundits are not correct of course – we are not mathematically safe.
“For me, the normal profile is 40 points – 10 wins, 10 draws, 18 defeats – and that means one win and two draws gets us there. It may be enough, it may not be. But that’s the only goal really.
“If we end up in a higher position than that then we will worry about what to do with the cash when we are in that fortunate position, if we get there.”
13 comments
Touch and go Brewer. He did have a Twitter-fit with the Swansea fans before the game.
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Swiss Canary
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Erpingham, I just hope that Grant retains his humility. A few signs of late that it may be in danger. Beginnings of a Premiership haircut.
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Should I start spelling badly, will I be allowed to comment?
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
3 etherings. More B****x.
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Ethered reply to Erps was just that I worry about GH starting a silly haircut. Could be the beginning of the end of a super player. I really hope not. Holt the Hero becomes Cocky from Cockermouth? Cumbersome. I think Holty is a superb footballer. Long may it stay that way.
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
2 etherings. B****x.
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I think Holty is starting to believe in his own Image. Beginnings of a silly haircut. I hope not, but you cannot blame him for cashing in while he can. It`s the environment pro football players live in. We must remember that they are on a surreal financial plane, even at poor little Norwich City.
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
With you on Sunderalnd and the almost inevitable "curse of the cameras". Oh Lord, now I am talking like Woy and the black magic thing.
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Swiss Canary
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I have to agree with Mad. And inside Mr Lambert was as disappointed as everyone. Outwardly, he has to deflect criticism away from the players and take the Premier League is all route. With little chance of getting or affording tickets, I would have been thrilled to progress further, so that we could watch our team on proper telly. Grant Holt is not a one man team, but on the day, he could well of made the difference. He is the sort of guy who would turn up and pay five bob to play. Interestingly, people said it was the worst performance of the season, but Sunderland away will take a lot of beating.
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Erpingham Tractor
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I just wish the players had looked a tad interested v Leicester. That`s all. Are we interested just in money, or the sport of Football? Somehow join the two aspirations.
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
being very cautious there. i would be very surprised if we are not already on a safety points total. there are too many clubs too far behind us for at least three not to pass us.
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goldeneadie
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
And there lays the reason for a half hearted performance in the FA cup gentlemen. Money talks and millions shout. I kept quiet after saturday as I couldn't believe what I was reading from some Norwich supporters who clearly didn't know about the Money per place but now you have it here in black and white. Sir Paul always knows best and has our club's best interests at heart. We can't afford to chase cup glory. Not this year anyway. ILWT
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MARK SPRINGALL
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Again show Paul Lambert's prgmatic approach. Extra fixtures, a cup final, European distraction next year and a few hundred thousand in the bank or potential extra Prem League millions to next years playing budget. I'm over the FA Cup exit and what ever you say goes PL
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B Inners
Wednesday, February 22, 2012