The latest publication of Football League clubs' spending on agents' fees has revealed that the amount of money committed to agents has increased by £3.9 million in the last twelve months.
League clubs committed £12.7m to agents between July 2009 and June 2010 compared to £8.8m for the same period in 2008/09.
In announcing the latest agents' fees figures Football League Chairman Greg Clarke voiced concern, saying:
"Given the current economic climate, it is worrying to the see such a significant amount leaking from the game.
"This year's figures demonstrate a considerable increase on those of last season and it is essential that clubs work to reduce this liability over the coming campaign."
During the 2009/10 season clubs committed to pay agents in 396 (16.6%) of the 2,392 player transactions that took place, collectively committing the sum of £12,739,867.
Championship clubs accounted for £10.1m (79.5%) of this total, with League 1 and League 2 clubs accounting for £2.2m (17.6%) and £0.4m (2.9%) respectively.
Fourteen clubs did not commit any money to agents during the 12 months covered by this report. They were Accrington Stanley, AFC Bournemouth, Barnet, Chesterfield, Crewe Alexandra, Dagenham & Redbridge, Darlington, Exeter City, Hereford United, Lincoln City, Macclesfield Town, Port Vale, Stockport County and Tranmere Rovers. A further nine clubs paid less than £10,000.
Overall 2009/10 figures (2008/09 in brackets)
Between 1st July 2009 and 30th June 2010 Football League clubs engaged in 2,392 (3,727) player transactions (new registrations/player transfers, contract updates, contract cancellations and loans)
Clubs committed to pay an agent in 396 (229) of these transactions;
Therefore, no agent was used in 1,996 transactions;
League clubs committed to spend £12,739,867 (£8,809,501) on agents' fees during the period of this report;
14 clubs (19) did not commit any money to agents during the 12 months covered by this report;
They were:
Accrington Stanley, AFC Bournemouth, Barnet, Chesterfield, Crewe Alexandra, Dagenham & Redbridge, Darlington, Exeter City, Hereford United, Lincoln City, Macclesfield Town, Port Vale, Stockport County and Tranmere Rovers.
23 clubs (29) committed to pay less than £10,000 to agents in the same period.
In the Championship there were 778 (1,227) player transactions, 205 (142) involved the use of agents;
Clubs committed to spend a total of £10,131,314 (£7,541,379) on agents' fees during this period;
All 24 clubs (24) committed to paying for the services of a licensed agent;
