The financial situation as a result worsened. However large groups of dedicated passionate fans still followed their football club through thick and thin. The financial clout of the north had been depleted however trophies still made their way up north.
Liverpool dominated the 80's while Manchester United heroically trounced any team that came across their way in the 90's, achieving a superb treble in 1999.
Fast forward to the millennium. Chelsea FC purchased by oil rich Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich . When assembling his team , money was no object, he splashed the cash to obtain the best players around. As a result back to back Premier League trophies were won as well as an FA Cup.
Manchester City have outspent Chelsea, treating money as if grows on trees. However the magnanimous amounts of money being spent by Sheikh Mansour seems to be reaping rewards as Manchester City last year won the FA Cup, their first major trophy in the thirty five years.
Not to be outdone however Manchester United won their 19th and record breaking Premier League title. Reaching three Champions League finals in four years is a marvellous achievement. Consecutive Premier League titles and a youthful, exuberant squad, Sir Alex Ferguson has built from what it seems a collection of players to take the mantle from the superb "kids" , Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
Manchester United sparkled in their 8-2 win over Arsenal, City destroyed Tottenham 5-1 away at White Hart Lane. The average age of Manchester United's squad was 23 exactly the same as Arsene Wenger's Arsenal who has been famed for bringing in young, talented stars. Manchester 2-0 London.
West Ham relegated, Arsenal in a dire situation , Tottenham in chaos after the Luka Modric saga and Chelsea with an ageing squad. Who can stop the new powerhouse of English football; Manchester ?
