“It wasn’t good for English football” – Charlton boss Nigel Adkins pleased to see so-called Super League plans shelved
BY LOUIS MENDEZ
Charlton manager Nigel Adkins reckons the so-called Super League would have been disastrous for English football.
Some of the giants of European football, along with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, were set to form a 12-team tournament to rival the Champions League that would have ring-fenced participation for the founder members and limited opportunities for clubs outside that bubble to qualify for a place in the competition.
Six English sides were set to sign up in total but all performed an embarrassing climb down less than 48 hours after the formation of the Super League was announced following backlash for supporters, pundits and players alike.
Adkins said he was pleased that the plans looked to be shelved already.
“From a footballing man, I probably stand with the majority of the country,” he explained.
“What was mooted could be very detrimental to the future of football and we don’t want that. If things are materialising that it’s not going to happen then I’m sure a lot of us will be very happy about that.
“It’s been proved that it’s not going to be good for English football. It’s not good for football or sport in general. I know it’s like the American franchise, the NFL have probably got it that way which is maybe where it is. But we’ve got to dream. Everybody has got to have that dream.
“Being at Scunthorpe United and we dreamed – we got to the Championship. We were sixth in the Championship at one stage. Every team has got to have an opportunity. When I was at Southampton we were 23rdin League One when I took over. We got ourselves to the Premier League and then the club has kicked on and played in Europe.
“I’ve joined Charlton Athletic because the owner has set out a vision to where we want to get to. Whether I’ll still be here when that happens, who knows. But the vision for the football club and the supporters is trying to get ourselves up there. So, we’ve got to keep that dream alive. If the Super League doesn’t materialise and we keep that dream alive, it’s far better for every football club and every supporter out there in the future.”
PHOTO: KYLE ANDREWS
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