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Since the Premiership split with the Football League in 1992, comparisons between the two tiers of English football have always been made. For me, it is only really worth comparing the top Football League division to the Premiership.

Quite honestly, looking below that at teams in the 2nd and 3rd division is not worthwhile. Look at the football, for the most part it is poor quality with lots of long balls and more of a testing ground for younger players. Likewise, the stadiums and facilities on offer aren't really worth mentioning in the same breath as the Premiership.

So, what of the top Football League division then? Because of teams being relegated from the Premiership, some of the money generated there does trickle down into the division and the top teams can boast stadiums that are of Premiership quality, and some good players. For the most part, though, this is only confined to the higher echelons of the division, with teams like Wolves. And comparing the best stadiums in the football league to Old Trafford and The Emirates, 60,000 plus all seat stadiums with some of the best facilities in England, there isn't really a contest there.

Likewise, Premiership matches tend to be a sell-out. Aside from what this tells you about how the fans feel about it, it also provides much greater atmosphere. Old Trafford may not have the most passionate supporters, but 75,000 fans will invariably generate more noise than, say, 18,000 at Cardiff City regardless.

Most obviously, the main draw of the Premiership is the fact that it is the top division in England. Top in terms of the best quality football in England, and the world, is played within this league. The best teams, not only in the country, but in the Europe compete in it every season, boasting players of the calibre of: Ronaldo, Fabregas, Shevchenko, Torres, Lampard, Rooney etc. It might be more expensive, but the higher price of watching the best talent in the country is worth it.

And from a commercial perspective, the Premiership obviously has much more to offer football clubs than the top Football League division. The TV coverage and revenue generated is far greater, in addition to the potential to qualify for European competition. Heck that is, after all, the main reason why the football league clubs want to be in the Premiership!

Premiership football has always been entertaining, fast-paced and still offers a good chance for newly promoted clubs to do okay. True, a lot of promoted teams do get relegated. But equally other promoted teams, through good management, have been able to stay in the league and consolidate. It may not be easy, but through good management they can make it. Bolton and Manchester City have done better at this.

So no the Football League does not have more to offer than the Premier League, the Premiership is not only the best league in England but it is also one of the strongest in Europe. With the tip-top of quality foreign and English players alike, in addition to world-class stadiums like Old Trafford and the Emirates, better atmosphere and greater commercial prospects it may actually be that the Premiership has more to offer than the Football League.

Learn more about this author, Matthew Adams.
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