Stocport County

[VALAIRIAN]

Originally Posted by JEFF

So in theory Stockport haven't been punished at all.

Quite right Jeff, they have done their homework and ensured they were safe. Do not suppose it is £500K per place like in Premiership so what difference does 5 places make.

[JEFF]

Just found this which explains it
BBC SPORT | Football | League closes 10-point loophole

[MikeA]

Originally Posted by churchman phil

... their 'parent company' SLH effectively paid the bills.

Oh, no they didn't!

[Chimer]

Originally Posted by churchman phil

Says on BBC website that the deduction takes place now too.
My understanding is that if the club is in a relegation place the deduction is suspended until the end of the season (like Southampton).
If the club is subsequently relegated then they will start the next season -10 points.
If the club finishes above the relegation places then the 10 point deduction is then applied and if that means they are then in a relegation place then they drop down and start the following season on 0 points.
If the club are over 10 points above relegation (like Stockport) then the points deduction is applied immediately.

Well that's how I read it!!

.... except that if the move to administration is made after a set deadline (sometime in March), the 10 point deduction is only applied in the current season if it would make the difference between relegation and staying up (or presumably, promotion and staying down). At the moment technically it could make a difference (Stockport lose, Carlisle win and the results produce an 18 point goal difference swing). So it's kind of all right to say the deduction has been applied now, but when even with the deduction Stockport avoid the drop, as they will, it will be reapplied at the start of next season (maybe plus a bit more if they haven't got out of administration in a way the League deems acceptable).

Probably!

[Chimer]

Originally Posted by MikeA

Oh, no they didn't!

Very nearly said "Oh yes they did", but spotted the hook just in time!

One of Southampton's owners shot himself in the foot on local telly by effectively admitting the SLH thing was just a front to (try to) insure against just such a penalty. SLH have no business interests other than SFC and St Mary's stadium.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by JEFF

So in theory Stockport haven't been punished at all.

Spot on JEFF, they have dropped from 13th to 19th in the league, so they now start next season all square. In Southampton's case they were damned both ways, which ever way they turned they were screwed both ways