Here’s the updated list of this season’s winners and losers.Here’s the updated list of this season’s winners and losers.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Winners: Liverpool

Finalists: AC Milan

UEFA CUP

Winners: CSKA Moscow

Finalists: Sporting Lisbon

PREMIERSHIP

Champions: Chelsea (qualify for Champions League group stages)

Champions League Qualiers: Arsenal qualify for Champions League group stages, Manchester United and Everton qualify for Champions League 3rd qualifying round and Liverpool for the 1st qualifying round.

UEFA Cup Qualifiers: Bolton Wanderers and Middlesbrough qualify for the 1st round.

Relegated: Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Southampton

CHAMPIONSHIP

Champions: Sunderland.

Promoted: Wigan

Play-Offs Winners: West Ham United

Relegated: Rotherham, Nottingham Forest and Gillingham

LEAGUE ONE

Champions: Luton Town

Promoted: Hull City

Play-Offs Winners: Sheffield Wednesday

Relegated: Stockport County, Peterborough United, Wrexham and Torquay United

LEAGUE TWO

Champions: Yeovil Town

Promoted: Scunthorpe United and Swansea City

Play-Offs Winners: Southend United

Relegated: Cambridge United and Kidderminster Harriers

CONFERENCE - NATIONAL

Champions: Barnet.

Play-Off Winners: Carlisle United

Relegated: Northwich Victoria, Leigh RMI and Farnborough Town

Promoted to the Conference - National: Grays Athletic, Southport and Altrincham

FA CUP

Winners: Arsenal

Finalists: Manchester United

CARLING CUP

Winners: Chelsea

Finalists: Liverpool

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Champions: Rangers (qualify for Champions League 3rd qualifying round)

Runners-Up: Celtic (qualify for Champions League 2nd qualifying round)

UEFA Cup qualifiers: Hibernian and Dundee United will playing the 2nd qualifying round

Relegated: Dundee

SCOTTISH FIRST DIVISION

Champions: Falkirk

Relegated: Raith Rovers and Partick Thistle

SCOTTISH SECOND DIVISION

Champions: Brechin City

Promoted: Stranraer

Relegated: Berwick Rangers and Arbroath

SCOTTISH THIRD DIVISION

Champions: Gretna

Promoted: Peterhead

SCOTTISH FA CUP

Winners: Celtic

Finalists: Dundee United

CIS INSURANCE CUP

Winners: Rangers

Finalists: Motherwell

BELL’S LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP

Winners: Falkirk

Finalists: Ross County

Much of the publicity surrounding the release of Deloitte’s latest report into football finances has, not surprisingly, concentrated on the staggering figures from the cash-rich Premiership. However, there is also encouraging news for the Football League.Much of the publicity surrounding the release of Deloitte’s latest report into football finances has, not surprisingly, concentrated on the staggering figures from the cash-rich Premiership. However, there is also encouraging news for the Football League.

Following the collapse of ITV Digital, it was feared that a number of clubs outside of the top flight would have folded by now. Some have undoubtedly sailed very close to the wind but the 14th edition of financial analysts Deloitte’s Annual Review of Football Finance reveals that Football League clubs are regaining control of their finances.

The review is based on figures from season 2003-04 and shows that attendances had reached a 40-year high and that the majority of clubs were avoiding the threat of going into administration.

Increased revenue and reduced wage bills saw notably reduced losses throughout the Football League. Nonetheless, operating losses of £52million and pre-tax losses of £67million means that continued progress is still needed.

While players’ wages in the Premiership had slowed to their slowest growth rate since its formation in 1992 (up 7% to £811million), from the heady heights of the ITV Digital era, wages at the Championship level were down for the first time in fours years (down 9% to £208million). They were also reduced in League One (down 17%) and League Two (down 4%).

As far as the paying public were concerned, over £200million was invested in improving and stadia and facilities.

Across the county, the 92 professional clubs generated a total revenue of £1,766million - up 7% from 2002-03.

Related Link

Deloitte Sports Business Group

Sky One screened the first their eight-part The World’s Greatest Sporting Legends series last night with the football edition.

It was certain to provoke a wide-ranging mix of views and certainly proved to be at odds with The AFS Ultimate Footballer - our soon to be launched international player ranking system. Sky One screened the first their eight-part The World’s Greatest Sporting Legends series last night with the football edition. It was certain to provoke a wide-ranging mix of views and certainly proved to be at odds with The AFS Ultimate Footballer - our soon to be launched international player ranking system.

In the run-up to the programme, co-host Des Lynam commented: “I’m amazed nobody has thought of this before. I’ve already started a row among my friends in the pub about who should be in it, never mind win it.”

An expert panel consisting former England managers Sir Bobby Robson and Graham Taylor, Liverpool European Cup winning captain Phil Thompson and respected journalist Joe Lovejoy were given the onerous task of selecting the games’ top-ten all-time legends.

After much thought and deliberation, they revealed their chosen ten to be:

Pele, Diego Maradona, Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, Bobby Moore, Zinedine Zidane, Ferenc Puskas, Franz Beckenbauer, John Charles and Sir Bobby Charlton.

Rather than rely on the vagaries of personal opinion, having compiled comprehensive databases for over 25 years, the AFS International Player Ranking System takes full advantage of extensive statistical analysis.

Although players are awarded points for international appearances, this is ‘weighted’ by such factors as the country played for, the result, competition and additional recognition such as being the team captain.

Individual and team honours are also taken in to account, again with careful consideration given to their true value.

This can also be configured to produce a certain country or teams greatest all-time XI or the best-ever players in each position, for instance.

The calculations to decide our all-time top ten have yet to be finalised but, from early analysis, it would seem there will be considerable and controversial differences to the Sky One version. Why no Ronaldo or Marco Van Basten (the “Leonardo da Vinci” of football), for example?

At this stage, we can exclusively reveal that there will be no place for Sir Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore in our top ten, but both the England heroes of 1966 would be selected if the criteria was restricted to performances in international football only.

Much has been made of George Best’s omission from the Sky selection and, unfortunately, we have to agree. Based on statistics, this is mainly due to two reasons - his relatively short career and lack of success on the international stage.

The Ashley Cole “tapping-up” case has taken a number of more intriguing turns with the release of the 24-page decision document published on the Premier League’s official website. Not least, in purely football terms, is José Mourinho’s assessment that top quality full-backs must be at least 5ft 11ins in height. The Ashley Cole “tapping-up” case has taken a number of more intriguing turns with the release of the 24-page decision document published on the Premier League’s official website. Not least, in purely football terms, is José Mourinho’s assessment that top quality full-backs must be at least 5ft 11ins in height.

In their opinion, the three-man panel had “grave difficulty in giving credence” to the Chelsea manager’s claim that Ashley Cole was too short at 1.68 metres (5ft 6in) because he was interested only in a player who stands at least 1.80 metres (5ft 11in).

They concluded: “AC’s lack of height was not an insurmountable difficulty. His short stature does not prevent him from performing at the highest international level at left back — a fact that must have been obvious to JM.”

To slightly muddy the waters further, the leading football reference books and Arsenal’s official web site list Ashley’s height as 1.73 metres (5ft 8ins).

It cannot be argued that, in the not too distant past, Chelsea have employed a number of fine full-backs who may have been lacking in inches but enjoyed plenty of experience at Premiership and / or international level. Examples are Albert Ferrer (1.70 metres / 5ft 7ins), Tony Dorigo (1.75 metres / 5ft 9ins), Terry Phelan (1.73 metres / 5ft 8ins), Celestine Babayaro (1.75 metres / 5ft 9ins) and Graeme Le Saux (1.78 metres / 5ft 10ins).

Away from Stamford Bridge, some of the most celebrated full-backs of the last decade fail the 180cms test: Dennis Irwin (1.73 metres / 5ft 8ins), Nigel Winterburn (1.72 metres / 5ft 8ins), Bixente Lizarazu (1.69 metres / 5ft 6ins) and Roberto Carlos (1.78 metres / 5ft 10ins).

José’s theory has the solid backing of both his full-backs in FC Porto’s 2004 Champions’ League Final victory passing the test of the tape. Right-back Paulo Ferreira (José signed him from Vitória Setúbal and is now with him at Chelsea) is 1.82 metres / 6ft 0ins as is left-back Nuno Valente (José’s first signing at Porto having previously been together at UD Leiria).

Speculation linking Athletic Bilbao’s left-back Asier del Horno with a move to Chelsea just fulfils the Mourinho criteria as the 24 year-old measures in on the 1.80 metre mark.

With fines totalling £600,000, the now infamous meeting has instigated one of the most expensive lunch bills in history. To the wider footballing public, it has undoubtedly left a nasty taste.

The question of loyalty and integrity in the game has also produced plenty of food for thought.

One of the more thoughtful and balanced responses came from Gordon Taylor. Speaking to the Press Association, the PFA chief executive commented: “There are no particular rules here against the agents involved and Ashley has been placed in a position where they (the commission) can only act against him.

“From that point of view it is unfortunate. Ashley has been placed in an invidious position where he is discussing a new contract with Arsenal.

“Things have not been finally settled and he has been advised to look at other options. If one club is looking to get a player in while the championship is still going on it can put that player in a very difficult position.

“To place Ashley in a meeting in a public hotel is really leaving him wide open. He was badly advised. He has been put in a position which has led to this charge.

“We have worked hard to make sure there is no restraint of trade on players. They are free at the end of their contract, even during a long-term contract after three years they have a right to speak to other clubs.

“There is ample opportunity. All Chelsea needed to do if they were interested in Ashley Cole was inform Arsenal as well as speaking to the player. They chose not to do that. They know the rules and the Premier League had no option but to take action against them.”

Related Link

Premier League Disciplinary Commission Decision Document

When Northwich Victoria’s new Victoria Stadium passed inspection last week, it appeared to confirm Forest Green Rovers relegation from the Conference National. However, the story took a dramatic and unexpected twist on Thursday.When Northwich Victoria’s new Victoria Stadium passed inspection last week, it appeared to confirm Forest Green Rovers relegation from the Conference National. However, the story took a dramatic and unexpected twist on Thursday.

The Vics left the Drill Field ground - their home for 127 years and one of the oldest football grounds in Britain - in 2002 and shared with neighbours Witton Albion.

Although far from complete, the local authorities issued the required Safety Certificate for the new ground last Friday. The Conference inspection also confirmed that it complied with the rules, and that Northwich could take their place in the Nationwide Conference next season.

Just as Forest Green Rovers last chance of avoiding relegation appeared to have disappeared, the Conference made the surprise announcement that it’s the Northwich club that is not compliant with the rules. The likely result is they will take Forest Green’s relegation slot and be demoted to the Conference North, at least.

When the Vics went into administration last season, the club transferred itself into a new limited company, Northwich Victoria (2004) Ltd. The lease on the ground is owned by this new company. However, it is the old company that remains members of the Nationwide Conference, and it has now been revealed that the transfer of membership had not been completed by 31 May.

The Conference’s official statement reads:

The Nationwide Conference have today notified Northwich Victoria FC Ltd (in administration) that they have failed to comply with the requirements to remain in the Conference Premier Division by the agreed deadline. The Club should originally have obtained a grading certificate for their new ground by 1st April 2005. By concession the Club were given until midnight on 31st May 2005 to comply on ground and club ownership status and it is understood that, although the ground was acceptable, the existing club in membership of The Football Conference, Northwich Victoria Ltd (in administration) did not have any security of tenure over the ground and as such could not be accepted into membership. The Club had intended to transfer its membership in the Football Conference to a new company, Northwich Victoria (2004) Ltd, formed for that purpose, but the FA have now informed The Football Conference that they have not been able to approve the transfer by 31st May 2005 as all their financial pre-conditions had not been met.

A Conference spokesperson said “Every possible assistance was given by ourselves and the FA to Northwich to comply by the 31st May deadline, including significant correspondence with the lawyers of the administrators and lawyers for Northwich (2004) Ltd. The Conference left all concerned in absolutely no doubt whatsoever what was required to be in place by 31st May 2005. Whilst the ground work was acceptable, the transfer of membership had not been completed and no lease was in place in accordance with the Rules of the Football Association and The Football Conference to the existing member of The Football Conference, Northwich Victoria Football Club Ltd (in administration). The only lease in existence was granted to Northwich Victoria (2004) Ltd whose membership had not, by the relevant date, been approved by the Football Association.”

The Football Conference have had no alternative but to implement their Rules and have advised Northwich Victoria Football Club Ltd (in administration) of their right of appeal to The Football Association pursuant to those Rules.

Speaking shortly after the announcement, Vics spokesman Peter Grimes said: “At the time of writing it is not known where the club will be relegated to, although one hopes it will be to Conference North. One can only speculate what the impact on the team and the management will be and it will probably take some time before the picture becomes clearer.”

Northwich have a right of appeal through the company that went into administration last year but it looks unlikely that they will avoid the drop.

The news comes after the Vics had overcome a 10-point penalty imposed last season to climb out of the bottom-three.

Formal confirmation of the make-up of the Conference will be made at the AGM on 11 June.