| In recent times we have seen in influx of | | | | satellite TV coverage and all the money this |
| talent from around the globe into the | | | | would bring, the game was entering new heady |
| Premiership. But what effect is this having | | | | heights. Off the back of this clubs were |
| on the national game. Read on to learn more. | | | | experiencing wealth previously unheard of. In |
| | | | a matter of a few years the transfer record |
| To as far back as the 50's and earlier there | | | | would go from £1 million to £5.5 |
| have been foreign footballers playing out | | | | million in 1994 with transfers of £7 |
| their careers in the top leagues. Although | | | | million and in excess commonplace within a |
| the crutch of the talent in the higher | | | | very short amount of time. With this rise in |
| leagues was dominated by Irish, Scottish, | | | | transfer fees clubs too could offer very |
| Welsh and English players through into the | | | | attractive contracts to prospective players |
| 70's there was beginning to be a noticeable | | | | and as a result of this we were beginning to |
| amount of foreign talent, with possibly one | | | | see the first ever mass influx of foreign |
| or two gracing each team. | | | | players into the English game. Players such |
| | | | as Dennis Bergkamp who previously would have |
| Into the 80's this trend would continue but | | | | never considered playing in England as |
| by this point homegrown black players were | | | | apposed to the more glamorous foreign leagues |
| also making their mark on the English game | | | | in Spain and Italy were arriving on our |
| with the likes of John Barnes and Viv | | | | shores in their droves. |
| Anderson being elevated to both stars for | | | | |
| club and country. This amidst still a fair | | | | Soon foreign players were making up the |
| degree of racism around the country. | | | | crutch of most teams. And although the |
| | | | standard of the game had noticeably improved |
| Into the early 90's black players were | | | | many were denouncing the influx as |
| becoming commonplace, with the likes of Ian | | | | detrimental to homegrown talent. This |
| Wright forming important parts of the | | | | attitude has continued right up to this day, |
| contemporary lineups. Off the back of the | | | | but with our national team as successful as |
| Hillsborough disaster clubs were moving into | | | | ever it is in my opinion a stance devoid of |
| safer allseater stadiums, incentives and | | | | substance. Although the rapid financial |
| punishments were being implemented to rid the | | | | growth of the 90's has now found its level |
| game of its racism and violence. With this | | | | somewhat, I can still see foreign players |
| burgeoning family orientated and more | | | | making up an important part of our game for |
| civilized aura surrounding the game it was | | | | the foreseeable future at least. Giving rise, |
| becoming fashionable to the middle classes to | | | | in its wake to the making of our league as |
| as well as the lower classes. Riding this | | | | possibly the best or second best in the |
| popularity and with the advent of Sky Sports | | | | world. |