Jenkins Backs New Football League Rules

Huw Jenkins is backing the Football League's new rules which aims to ensure that all clubs work within their financial capabilities.

The Swansea City chairman attended the Football League's annual meeting in Malta recently and he said that the goal is to get clubs making a small profit.

New rules for next season mean that clubs can only have a maximum of 25 players aged over 21, and 10 must be homegrown.

Jenkins said:

'Ultimately, the goal is to try to get most clubs, if not all of them, making a small profit.

'That's not going to be easy — there's still a lot to talk about and a lot to take into consideration.

'But I think quietly more things will be introduced to control finances in football and to make clubs work within their income.

'I think everybody is going to work together and commit to trying to make things a bit more sensible in football.

'I think there will be a change in a lot of people's thinking, and what's been agreed this week will be a step in the right direction.'

Despite us signing a number of foreign players over recent years, Jenkins believes the rules won't be a problem for us:

'We have seen some fantastic foreign players coming to play in this country and they have taken our standards up,'

'We have quite a few foreign players ourselves, so it's clear that all clubs are going to have find a balance.

'We will have no problem fitting in with the new rules — it's not an issue for us.

'But the changes do focus our thoughts as far as recruitment in the future goes, because we have to make sure we work within the rules.

'They will encourage clubs to produce more players of their own and clubs will also have to look for more British players.

'And I wouldn't mind betting that over future years, things will be tightened up even more.'

He added:

'I think there will be a tightening of financial controls at clubs,'

'Clubs are going to try to control their spending and, as a result, wages and transfer fees will be brought under more control.

'Clubs in League Two, League One and the Championship are all looking for a common-sense approach.

'We all want to ensure our clubs are around forever.'

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