December 9 2002

Simon Jordan

A report in today's Daily Telegraph suggests that Palace are serious danger of 'financial stress' within the next 12 months.

Following on from controversial comments made last week by Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon, who said that four divisions of English professional football could not continue, Checksure an online credit checking agency, compiled a report on all 92 English Clubs and found that the financial state of most clubs is healthier than first thought.

62 out of the 92 English clubs are less likely to score a financial own goal than the average UK company.

The information from Checksure also suggests that the Premiership's Chelsea, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are each about a 50-1 shot to face a winding up order, administration or liquidation in the next 12 months - virtually identical to First Division Gillingham, Second Division Blackpool and Third Division Southend.

Neil Jones, Checksure managing director, said: "On average, the financial health of English clubs is statistically better than the health of UK business." However, he added: "If I were a painter doing work for some clubs, I would ask for cash up front."

However Palace and Second Division Northampton Town were singled out for a mention that they have a worse than even chance of financial stress in the next 12 months.

This news will be very alarming for Palace fans, and begs the question of what Simon Jordan is doing with the club.