SNATCH OF THE DAY

RYAN FOLEY RECALLS WHEN TELEVISED FOOTBALL COVERAGE BECAME THE SUBJECT OF MAJOR SIGNIFICANCE

- 

IN NOVEMBER 16, 1978, London Weekend Television captured exclusive rights to all Football League and League Cup matches for ITV.

The bombshell deal, dubbed 'Snatch of the Day' by the newspapers, was for three years at a staggering £5m.

"It was," wrote Robin Lustig in The Observer three days later, "one of the most successful coups in British broadcasting history."

A coup that was masterminded by Michael Grade, director of programmes at LWT. At a meeting with Jack Dunnett, a member of the Football League's management committee, Grade expressed a hunch that the clubs were going to turn down the new joint television deal submitted by ITV and the BBC. Dunnett confirmed his hunch - and Grade swiftly submitted an offer.

Dunnett succeeded in persuading Football League secretary Alan Hardaker that it was the right deal for the clubs, as it gave what they had demanded for years: more money - the present television deal was for £420,000 a season - and, with ever-growing worries over dwindling gate receipts, less television coverage. “We have felt for a long time now,” said Manchester City chairman Peter Swales, “that we were being underpaid and overexposed.

“I think this offer solves the first problem, and will probably solve the second one, too.”