Grimsby owner Jason Stockwood wants rules about spending limits introduced into the National League.
He is particularily concerned about recent spending by the owners of Wrexham and Stockport.
'No one buys into a club in the National League motivated by financial returns: it has to be about taking the club and community on a journey, and for that, I admire what is happening at clubs like Wrexham and Stockport County,' said Stockwood as reported by the Grimsby Telegraph.
'Both clubs have owners who are taking significant financial and reputational risks to awaken 'sleeping giants': in Stockport’s case, they were bought by property entrepreneur Mark Stott in January 2020.
'I believe they want the best for the clubs and communities; these are not the kind of opaque international investors who use brokers to get them through the owners’ and directors’ test on moral and financial suitability.
'What worries me is the growing financial inequality that is becoming embedded in English football. Grimsby Town will make a significant loss this year. While budgets at our level are not officially declared, we know we are 'competitive' and we know that four or five of our peers are spending significantly more than us to get into the Football League.
'While we can boast nearly full-house attendances and improved performances at Grimsby, we are investing in the long-term infrastructure and culture of the club and, as a result, it’s likely our financial losses will be worse next year. The second-year after you drop out of the League, you lose all support payments from the EFL. For most owners at this level, there is an acceptance that the payoffs lie somewhere other than the balance sheet; most are more interested in helping our community redefine its future.
'That inequality should exist in football or society at large is neither controversial nor problematic in itself. Natural endowments and capabilities mean advantages play out in all walks of life. The issue I and many others have with inequality is when it is patently unfair.
'While I love the excitement that glamorous owners bring to football, there needs to be strong financial parameters enforced around lower-league clubs, particularly around the pay structures and bonuses for each division. Clubs being able to underwrite big losses is a gamble that often does not pay off over time.
'It also creates unrealistic expectations among fans of clubs about the
kinds of players they can attract, and leads to wage inflation for the
whole league. This kind of market distortion is bad for the football
pyramid as a whole.'