Time for a 'reset' in football finance says Blackpool chief Ben Mansford

Discussions over the introduction of a salary cap continue to take place, with a vote widely expected to be held this week.

If voted through, clubs in League One would be limited to playing budgets of £2.5m, while the figure would be £1.25m for sides in the fourth tier.

It’s understood the majority of clubs will back the proposals, despite objections from Sunderland, Ipswich Town and Portsmouth.

Mansford, who has previously indicated Blackpool would back the proposals, believes change is necessary.

“Covid will provide an important reset for finances in League One and League Two,” he said.

“The Championship has a wages to turnover rate of 106 per cent, which I’d suggest is not sustainable. We saw the disappointing circumstances surrounding Wigan as well.

“I think greater regulation and a tightening of the financial regulations is really important and I also think the EFL need to look at the Owners’ and Directors’ Test.

“When clubs are changing hands, you need to see who is actually owning football clubs and then you’re more likely to see a greater sense of sustainability.

“We’re likely to see a number of financial fair play regulations coming in and a salary cap is one that has been talked about a lot.

“I think there needs to be a calming of wages and wage to turnover ratio outside the Premier League in particular.

“For the next 12 to 24 months, the Covid situation will see a calming.”

Blackpool have been one of the most active clubs so far this summer, making five new signings and paying fees for Jerry Yates and CJ Hamilton.

The Seasiders have, however, recouped cash by selling Tony Weston to Rangers for a reported £250,000 fee and loaning Ryan Hardie to Plymouth Argyle again.

Mansford has stressed the importance of doing prudent business this summer to make sure the clubs gets value for money.

“It’s about doing the right deals at the right time, and getting the best quality and some asset-value, players with their best years in front of them,” he said.

“I really hope we’ll be able to manage the dynamic of the situation to do some really good deals for the football club.

“I see there being a reset, especially in League One and League Two. Come the end of any transfer window, there’s likely to have been a reset button.

“With 1,400 players in the EFL out of contract at the moment, that will turn out to be the case.”

Wigan will be competing in League One next season. Their relegation was confirmed after an appeal against their 12-point deduction for entering administration failed.