City get cash boost

ST ALBANS City have received a boost with the news that the club will receive �6,000 as part of The Premier League s solidarity payment to the Football Conference. The Premier League has made a one off payment of �1m to the Football Conference to be sha

ST ALBANS City have received a boost with the news that the club will receive �6,000 as part of The Premier League's 'solidarity payment' to the Football Conference.

The Premier League has made a one off payment of �1m to the Football Conference to be shared among its 68 member clubs.

The clubs are expected to receive their share by the end of the month and it has come at the right time for City who, with the exception of a possible FA Cup replay, have only two home games between now and the end of October.

Club secretary Steve Eames told The Herts Advertiser: "This is a welcome boost to the club and we'd like to thank The Premier League for this wonderful gesture.

"With only two home games between now and the end of October this news has come at just the right time."

Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore, said: "The Premier League clubs discussed the current financial difficulties facing their counterparts in the Conference and were happy to be in the position to help them out with some financial support.

"The Football Conference is clearly an integral part of the football pyramid as well as being extremely important to local fans and communities - it was absolutely the right thing to do at this time."

Blue Square South clubs are also expected to receive an additional �1,500 from the Football Conference's central funds this Friday as they look to help ease the financial burden on their member clubs.

Conference chairman Brian Lee said: "We are extremely grateful to the Premier League in demonstrating their support to our members at a time when our clubs are feeling the pinch not only at the loss of our TV contract but the decline of anticipated income due to the financial position generally.