The saying goes that a lot can change in a year - and nowhere in the world of sport is that truer than the Championship. Promotion to the Premier League - to face the world's best players and play in some of Europe's finest stadiums - is worth a staggering sum of around £90M to the three teams that prevail. And so one successful season, where luck and injuries fall the right way, is enough to turn a club's prospects upside down.
But, while seeing the riches of the Premier League just out of reach is frustrating for all Championship teams, it is toughest for those who have eaten at the top table in the past, only to suffer the crippling blow of relegation. Just as the ascent to the Premier League is a magical moment for promoted sides, the teams that make way for them face crushing financial consequences.
No team knows this better than current Championship high-flyers Southampton, who fell from the top flight back in 2005. After failing to secure a quick return to the Premier League, financial woes struck the club a heavy blow. The rest of the story is a familiar tale. Suddenly, a team that had spent 27 straight years in the top tier of English football was left in financial ruin and tumbled into League One.
But that pain has been consigned to the past. Southampton bounced back under the watchful eye of underrated manager Nigel Adkins, placed faith in a talented group of academy products and earned promotion to the Championship last season. And thus far, they have looked right at home. With vocal home support and one of the finest stadiums in the league, Southampton have terrific off-field backing, coupled with a squad brimming with youthful confidence.
But, while seeing the riches of the Premier League just out of reach is frustrating for all Championship teams, it is toughest for those who have eaten at the top table in the past, only to suffer the crippling blow of relegation. Just as the ascent to the Premier League is a magical moment for promoted sides, the teams that make way for them face crushing financial consequences.
No team knows this better than current Championship high-flyers Southampton, who fell from the top flight back in 2005. After failing to secure a quick return to the Premier League, financial woes struck the club a heavy blow. The rest of the story is a familiar tale. Suddenly, a team that had spent 27 straight years in the top tier of English football was left in financial ruin and tumbled into League One.
But that pain has been consigned to the past. Southampton bounced back under the watchful eye of underrated manager Nigel Adkins, placed faith in a talented group of academy products and earned promotion to the Championship last season. And thus far, they have looked right at home. With vocal home support and one of the finest stadiums in the league, Southampton have terrific off-field backing, coupled with a squad brimming with youthful confidence.
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