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Research suggests that the Bulls wage bill could rise by as much as £400,000 for the coming season.
A study by the Independent in the summer of 2006 showed the average League Two player on £49,600, with a League One player on £18,300 more. Across a squad average of 22 that increase would equate to a £400,000 rise in wages even without two years of pay rises since.
On promotion to the Football League two years ago wages increased by £250,000 as a whole including backroom and office staff, according to the last accounts. This increase was, effectively, the additional TV money received for being a League Two club. The promotion to League One sees a 50% increase in TV money to around £400,000 - leaving a hefty shortfall from the wage increase of up to £250,000.
That shortfall would have to be made up from other activities. Although ticket prices have been held at Edgar Street, there would be a hope for much improved attendances in the coming season. An increase of the average attendance at Edgar Street to over 4,000 would virtually wipe out the shortfall while other commercial income, including the recent stand sponsorship, would also help to make the Bulls competitive.
One thing is for certain, this season will be a scramble for places in as high a division as possible. A new Football League deal with Sky comes into force next summer, bringing with it a 135% increase in TV revenue to the League - with most of it going to the Championship.
The deal, which sees the BBC replacing ITV as the lesser partner, will see 80% of the £88million a year go to the Championship - nearly £3million a side compared to the current sub-£1million on offer for the coming year.
