Drop in agents fees

The Football League has reported a decrease of £600,000 in the amount of money being committed to agents by League clubs during the six months between July and December 2005. 13% (237) of the of the 1,765 player transactions made a total of £4,427,986. Championship clubs accounted for 85%, League One was 12% and League Two clubs 3% and 21 clubs did not pay any money to agents.

Lord Mawhinney, Chairman of the Football League, said, "By putting these figures into the public arena League clubs have provided the catalyst for a wider debate about the role of agents in football. I am encouraged that we have seen a reduction in the amount being paid to agents.This issue remains at the very top of The Football League's agenda and we will continue to act in an open and transparent way."

In the Championship only Crewe Alexandra did not pay any agents fees. In League One Blackpool, Chesterfield, Colchester United, Gillingham, Hartlepool United, Huddersfield Town, Port Vale, Scunthorpe United and Walsall refused to pay agents fees while Barnet, Boston United, Bury, Cheltenham Town, Chester City, Lincoln City, Notts County, Shrewsbury Town, Stockport County, Wrexham and Wycombe Wanderers of League Two did not commit any funds for agents.