Preston North End have been used by EFL chief executive Rick Parry as an example of how finances in the Football League are a major concern.
A much-anticipated white paper from the UK government is expected to be published later this month.
That document will map out reforms for football as we know it, with an independent regulator potentially on the horizon.
The EFL is supporting that idea having witnessed a number of financial disasters in recent years.
There is also a call for parachute payments to end, believing that the huge money for winning promotion and then being relegated only makes EFL clubs more desperate to spend beyond their means and reach the Premier League.
A number of clubs have been chasing the dream with millions on offer in the Premier League.
The EFL want a fairer distribution of money but securing a deal with the Premier League will be difficult to say the very least.
EFL chief executive Rick Parry has now spoken about the situation ahead of this white paper being released.
Parry has told BBC Sport that there is an over-reliance on owner funding at EFL clubs – and highlighted PNE as a problem club.
Parry notes that North End are ‘really well-run’ and ‘sensible’, but still need to have £12million pumped in every year.
The former Liverpool man questions just who could replace the Hemmings family and commit to putting that kind of money into PNE moving forward.
“The dependence on owner funding is bad. Craig Hemmings wrote to supporters on behalf of the Preston ownership,” said Parry. “Preston are a really well-run, sensible club. They are not chasing the dream and not over-spending. But he pointed out their annual budget is £24m and, of that, the Hemmings family provide £12m every year. Who replaces the Hemmings family? Who comes to Preston and says ‘starting point £12m-a-year’?” he added.
The future of North End is a major concern to many fans, with seemingly limiting spending on new signings ever since the passing of Trevor Hemmings in 2021.
The fear of relegation next season without competitive spending over the summer is growing and whilst Parry can suggest that PNE are well-run and sensible, the amount of money wasted in recent years is alarming.
Whilst PNE can hope for a decent outcome from this white paper, this won’t answer questions over the club’s ownership moving forward.