Comments on: The Sweeper: Villa Unveils Tribute to a Sporting Visionary http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/11/29/the-sweeper-villa-unveils-tribute-to-a-sporting-visionary/ A soccer blog featuring essays, news and photography exploring soccer around the world Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:48:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Nigel http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/11/29/the-sweeper-villa-unveils-tribute-to-a-sporting-visionary/comment-page-1/#comment-16862 Nigel Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:50:42 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=4863#comment-16862 As a Villa supporter I am glad to have come across this post. Ever since Randy Lerner took over the club, the heritage and history of the club has been given a high profile which is something the fans have always wanted. As a Villa supporter I am glad to have come across this post. Ever since Randy Lerner took over the club, the heritage and history of the club has been given a high profile which is something the fans have always wanted.

]]> By: footysphere http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/11/29/the-sweeper-villa-unveils-tribute-to-a-sporting-visionary/comment-page-1/#comment-16813 footysphere Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:43:14 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=4863#comment-16813 Not so sure that McGregor proposal to create a league was a philanthropic gesture to ensure football fans got a regular fix of games. It was a hard-headed business decison. Professionalism had been legalised in 1885 and players wages were steadily being driven upwards putting immense financila pressure on many clubs. Clubs needed regular games as gate receipts were the only income they had. The introduction of a league ensured a regular supply of important, competitive fixtures that would generate the gate money essential for survival. It's interesting to note that in January of 1888, just a few months before the league was formed, a game between Aston Villa & Preston North End generated record gate receipts of £1117 from a world record crowd of just under 26000. I'm sure it was this rather than an irate fan that led to McGregor suggesting the creation of a league. Not so sure that McGregor proposal to create a league was a philanthropic gesture to ensure football fans got a regular fix of games. It was a hard-headed business decison. Professionalism had been legalised in 1885 and players wages were steadily being driven upwards putting immense financila pressure on many clubs. Clubs needed regular games as gate receipts were the only income they had. The introduction of a league ensured a regular supply of important, competitive fixtures that would generate the gate money essential for survival.

It’s interesting to note that in January of 1888, just a few months before the league was formed, a game between Aston Villa & Preston North End generated record gate receipts of £1117 from a world record crowd of just under 26000. I’m sure it was this rather than an irate fan that led to McGregor suggesting the creation of a league.

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