The Bundesliga has been dominated by a team that should not be named for a number of years now and for some there has been a growing discontent with the way the league is changing. Financially a club like Hertha cannot compete with clubs with big sponsors, sugar daddies or even just regular Champions League money. Chasing after business success appears to be making clubs take decisions that lead them away from the fans that have traditionally supported them in record numbers in Germany. Having said this some fans at least still demand better and better players to carry their teams to further success and look enviously at the TV money available to the English Premier League.
Some Bundesliga players express interest in leaving to play in the EPL including Hertha’s Genki Haraguchi and Jay Brooks. The streets of the island are paved with gold or at least so it seems. With £170,000,000 (195 million Euros) riding on just one match, the Championship promotion playoff match at Wembley on May 29th, perhaps they are. Sums like these make the lure of the EPL strong indeed. Jay Brooks leaving Hertha for Wolfsburg was a surprise in many ways but perhaps the lure was the same, money. An alleged transfer fee of twenty million Euros I believe is a record for Hertha and I have read reports suggesting Jays wages will be double that offered by The Old Lady. To be fair Jay had been at Hertha for ten years and perhaps the fact Wolfsburg is just a short ICE ride from his home in Berlin played a part in his decision.
Players like these can certainly command high transfer fees and earn far more money in the English league. The downside of all this is they can become totally remote from the fans. Some are able to buy huge property portfolios, race horse stables and drive in supercars. At the same time some otherwise loyal fans on a minimum wage cannot afford the astronomical ticket prices. The gulf between such players and the fans that support their teams is as vast as the pay cheques given to them. For example, newly promoted Brighton and Hove Albion cheapest season ticket is 545EUR (£475) and the cheapest Arsenal season ticket could cost you £1,014! These UK prices, especially when compared to the cheapest Hertha season ticket at £127 (146EUR) for members, are totally out of the reach of many, many true football fans. It also means the stadium will be filled with only those who can afford these inflated prices whether they be local or visitors. In all fairness to them, these are not necessarily the best supporters for generating the atmosphere so loved in stadia in Germany.
Another factor to consider is the fate of the International game. As it stands transfer fees and wages are comparatively low in the Bundesliga and there are a correspondingly low number of “ready-made international players” imported into the teams there. In the English game things are very different. England has just won the U20 World Cup and so clearly has some quality talent at this age group, however, the worrying thing is the fact that these young players will really struggle to get first team places for their clubs. All too often EPL managers, often from another country themselves, will buy in players from places like South America or Africa rather than spending time developing local talent with game-time. It’s not “rocket science” working out that their development these young players will be held back as a result as will the prospect of the national team. In Germany, as it stands, young talent like Mitchell Weiser and Niklas Stark are getting game time with Germany’s U21 team and importantly also in the first team for Hertha. If commercial factors come more into play will they, and players like them, be replaced by fully developed talent bought in from elsewhere? If this happened what would happen to “Die Mannschaft”? Would they have to wait 51 years inbetween trophies like England?
Some Bundesliga players express interest in leaving to play in the EPL including Hertha’s Genki Haraguchi and Jay Brooks. The streets of the island are paved with gold or at least so it seems. With £170,000,000 (195 million Euros) riding on just one match, the Championship promotion playoff match at Wembley on May 29th, perhaps they are. Sums like these make the lure of the EPL strong indeed. Jay Brooks leaving Hertha for Wolfsburg was a surprise in many ways but perhaps the lure was the same, money. An alleged transfer fee of twenty million Euros I believe is a record for Hertha and I have read reports suggesting Jays wages will be double that offered by The Old Lady. To be fair Jay had been at Hertha for ten years and perhaps the fact Wolfsburg is just a short ICE ride from his home in Berlin played a part in his decision.
Players like these can certainly command high transfer fees and earn far more money in the English league. The downside of all this is they can become totally remote from the fans. Some are able to buy huge property portfolios, race horse stables and drive in supercars. At the same time some otherwise loyal fans on a minimum wage cannot afford the astronomical ticket prices. The gulf between such players and the fans that support their teams is as vast as the pay cheques given to them. For example, newly promoted Brighton and Hove Albion cheapest season ticket is 545EUR (£475) and the cheapest Arsenal season ticket could cost you £1,014! These UK prices, especially when compared to the cheapest Hertha season ticket at £127 (146EUR) for members, are totally out of the reach of many, many true football fans. It also means the stadium will be filled with only those who can afford these inflated prices whether they be local or visitors. In all fairness to them, these are not necessarily the best supporters for generating the atmosphere so loved in stadia in Germany.
Another factor to consider is the fate of the International game. As it stands transfer fees and wages are comparatively low in the Bundesliga and there are a correspondingly low number of “ready-made international players” imported into the teams there. In the English game things are very different. England has just won the U20 World Cup and so clearly has some quality talent at this age group, however, the worrying thing is the fact that these young players will really struggle to get first team places for their clubs. All too often EPL managers, often from another country themselves, will buy in players from places like South America or Africa rather than spending time developing local talent with game-time. It’s not “rocket science” working out that their development these young players will be held back as a result as will the prospect of the national team. In Germany, as it stands, young talent like Mitchell Weiser and Niklas Stark are getting game time with Germany’s U21 team and importantly also in the first team for Hertha. If commercial factors come more into play will they, and players like them, be replaced by fully developed talent bought in from elsewhere? If this happened what would happen to “Die Mannschaft”? Would they have to wait 51 years inbetween trophies like England?
A recent survey of over 17,000 German speaking football fans showed that two thirds of them generally supported the need for marketing in the professional game. The significance of this two thirds majority lends weight to the survey’s findings about the failings of German football in the eyes of the fans interviewed at least. It demonstrates they were not inherently against the commercial nature of the professional game which is a comparative recent innovation in Germany. That is not to say they felt the league was without its problems. With the amount of money that I have spent in various Hertha fan shops I have failed miserably to demonstrate any immunity to this myself and I appreciate the need for a business aspect to my club. This tacit agreement only stands as long as the commercial tail does not wag the dog.
The survey revealed some of the concerns of German football fans to mirror many of my own (or visa versa).
The player's salaries and transfer fees increasingly bear no relation to “real life” and certainly not mine. Linked to this is the disproportionate amount of the games money being channelled through the Champions League and the teams competing in that competition at the expense of lower leagues. In no small part due to this funding “anomaly”, the Bundesliga has been dominated by just a very few teams for many years. The vast amount of money available to the very top clubs at best wildly distorts and at worst nullifies competition in the league. This has resulted in precious little competition with the exception of a club that brings its own money in from elsewhere. Part of the fallout from this dominance is a limited interest in title races which can almost be a forgone conclusion not long after the season starts.
Another issue is the destruction of the traditional weekend match day as a result of TV marketing. You only need to look at the introduction of Monday night games in the 2017/18 season. That’s very nice for the armchair fans watching satellite/cable TV but those who struggle to get to the stadia? This is especially true for away games where you would have to take perhaps two days off work to attend 90 minutes of away football. With the current development of the professional game the powers that be must be careful not to remove the game any further from the fans or the character and culture of the game could so easily be lost forever. Over half of fans in the survey thought it likely they might eventually turn away from the game altogether if the trends, as they perceive them, continue. Once that culture breaks down because of a lack of respect, trust or even interest, it would be at best incredibly difficult to resurrect it
The survey revealed some of the concerns of German football fans to mirror many of my own (or visa versa).
The player's salaries and transfer fees increasingly bear no relation to “real life” and certainly not mine. Linked to this is the disproportionate amount of the games money being channelled through the Champions League and the teams competing in that competition at the expense of lower leagues. In no small part due to this funding “anomaly”, the Bundesliga has been dominated by just a very few teams for many years. The vast amount of money available to the very top clubs at best wildly distorts and at worst nullifies competition in the league. This has resulted in precious little competition with the exception of a club that brings its own money in from elsewhere. Part of the fallout from this dominance is a limited interest in title races which can almost be a forgone conclusion not long after the season starts.
Another issue is the destruction of the traditional weekend match day as a result of TV marketing. You only need to look at the introduction of Monday night games in the 2017/18 season. That’s very nice for the armchair fans watching satellite/cable TV but those who struggle to get to the stadia? This is especially true for away games where you would have to take perhaps two days off work to attend 90 minutes of away football. With the current development of the professional game the powers that be must be careful not to remove the game any further from the fans or the character and culture of the game could so easily be lost forever. Over half of fans in the survey thought it likely they might eventually turn away from the game altogether if the trends, as they perceive them, continue. Once that culture breaks down because of a lack of respect, trust or even interest, it would be at best incredibly difficult to resurrect it
Some possible solutions to these issues might include the professional game being given clear and enforced financial rules where perhaps there are limits put in place on players' wages in line with those rules. Linked to this could be the introduction of a fairer redistribution of the TV money to include clubs further down the leagues to encourage greater competition. Also, in order to take greater account of fan interests, professional clubs could be obliged to have more fan group representation on their governing bodies. One of the things that might come from this could be a return to fan-friendly kick-off times and moving away from difficult Friday and Monday night games.
In terms of what our future could be like if these dangers are not avoided one only has to look at the atmosphere (or lack of it) in the English Premiership at some of the grounds. With ticket prices being through the roof, and hard to come by, only a certain type of spectator can attend many of these matches. These are either pretty rich and predominantly older people or those who make an occasional visit only when they can afford it. I was talking to a chap the other day who would like to go and see a Chelsea game but the cost of going to even one game is starting to spiral away from him. If you are not there every week it is harder to develop comradeship with those around you as well as the traditions/habits (call it what you will) that are associated with dedicated fans.
There is, I believe, a mistaken belief with some football fans in Germany that support and atmosphere in England is really good. Perhaps for away International games it is but for league games? I don’t think so; they can’t hold a candle to the Bundesliga.
In terms of what our future could be like if these dangers are not avoided one only has to look at the atmosphere (or lack of it) in the English Premiership at some of the grounds. With ticket prices being through the roof, and hard to come by, only a certain type of spectator can attend many of these matches. These are either pretty rich and predominantly older people or those who make an occasional visit only when they can afford it. I was talking to a chap the other day who would like to go and see a Chelsea game but the cost of going to even one game is starting to spiral away from him. If you are not there every week it is harder to develop comradeship with those around you as well as the traditions/habits (call it what you will) that are associated with dedicated fans.
There is, I believe, a mistaken belief with some football fans in Germany that support and atmosphere in England is really good. Perhaps for away International games it is but for league games? I don’t think so; they can’t hold a candle to the Bundesliga.
Compare and contrast
The English Premier League on a good day. The Bundesliga.
The English Premier League on a good day. The Bundesliga.
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At Hertha and I’m sure it is the same at other Bundesliga clubs, you can attend open training sessions and see the players close up. In doing so you can feel more part of the club, you feel closer somehow. Closer to something bigger, and better than simply a product on sale to the highest bidder. You can get your copy of “Wir Herthaner” autographed if that floats your boat. Alternatively you could strike up a conversation (if you have something interesting to say) or just say thanks if you think they deserve it. It is hard to imagine this degree of fan contact at one of the big Premier League clubs.
So, if you talk enviously of the premiership and yet complain about the lack of consultation on pink shirts, be careful what you wish for.
The Survey
http://fcplayfair.de/ergebnisse/
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