One-in-five clubs in the Football League are in "poor financial health"

[CumbrianRam]

One-in-five clubs in the Football League are in "poor financial health", according to a survey by administrators Begbies Traynor.

Begbies Traynor is overseeing the administration of Port Vale, the latest in a list of clubs including Portsmouth and Glasgow Rangers in trouble.

"Many clubs are continuing to spend too much, principally on players' wages, as they always have done," it said.

The survey did not include any teams in the Premier League.

The Football League refers to the three divisions below the top flight - the Championship, League One and League Two.

Of 68 teams surveyed in those divisions, 13 have signs of distress such as serious court actions against them, including winding-up petitions, late filing of accounts and "serious" negative balances on their balance sheets.

That 19% compares to just one per cent in the wider economy, the firm said.

'Underlying problems'

"While Premier League clubs are guaranteed huge television money every year and some have extremely wealthy backers, there are signs of genuine financial distress among a significant number of football league clubs," said Gerald Krasner, a partner at Begbies Traynor.

"The sales of season tickets for next season, many of which are paid for during April and May, could provide some short-term relief for struggling clubs, but it won't solve the underlying problems."

The financially distressed clubs include three in the Championship, six in League One and four in League Two.

The deadline for potential bidders for Port Vale was Monday. Begbies Traynor have said they were expecting five bids.

Portsmouth's administrators Trevor Birch have welcomed initial interest by the Portsmouth Supporters' Trust to buy the club through a share scheme.

Rangers' administrators Duff and Phelps have set a deadline of 4 April for "best and final offers".

Interest has come from the Blue Knights, a US group fronted by Club 9 Sports and a consortium from the Far East.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17592124