Scottish Premiership supremo predicts English football implosion as he warns financial bomb is set to go off

Brian Caldwell insists the imminent explosion of English football’s financial bomb triggered his return to the relative safety of Scotland with Motherwell.

The Fir Park chief executive arrived in Lanarkshire back in March after a successful spell at Shrewsbury Town. But he revealed profit and sustainability regulations that are being implanted down south have resulted in many clubs teetering on a precipice. Long-standing concerns about the financial health of the game, foreign ownership and the lack of fan involvement in the running of clubs have forced politicians to try to push through the Football Governance Bill that was a factor in Caldwell heading north.

He said: “When I first went down to Shrewsbury in 2016 I thought I would be at the club for two or three years then move on to a Championship club or whatever in a move up the way. But I have seen the financial situation across English football – and it’s not great at all. There’s alarm at many clubs due to a culture of overspending. More investment is going into clubs from foreign owners.

“What club would you go to in the English Championship that isn’t completely screwed financially? That was a factor why I stayed at Shrewsbury longer than I had expected and, after over seven years there, it was probably the right time for a new challenge. It’s exciting to be back working in Scottish football again.

“I see Motherwell as a top-six club – when I was at St Mirren, the majority of that time Well were in the top half. The aim is to get to that place again as a club. I believe there is so much potential both in the Motherwell area and being a fan-owned club helps in that regard. It’s a huge positive to have that community feel but there are so many improvements that