February 23, 2001 10:27: I'M delighted at the FA Cup success of Wycombe Wanderers. They are a truly good club who deserve to see some glory again.

But their achievements this week are a bright spot in what is becoming an alarming state of affairs for soccer.

The game is in dire danger of committing hari kari by its saturation coverage and its apparent determination to price normal fans out of the market.

Going to some Premiership club these days is more expensive than attending the opera. An average couple would pay £60 to £70 all in for the privilege of 90 minutes of football.

At present, football is in vogue, so the big clubs can get away with it. The Beckhams of this world can demand colossal salaries and they'll get it.

But what of the future? When I was a lad, I used to pay just a few bob to watch my team and I earned the money for this through my paper round.

Today's teenagers will probably need their own share portfolio if they wish to afford to watch some top teams.

What once was a working class sport is rapidly being turned into a pursuit for the rich and famous. At least it will give the fox hunters somewhere to go when their hobby is outlawed.

The trouble is that you can watch all the top teams virtually any day of the week from the comfort of your living room. TV is obsessed with continuous football and it is killing off the goose that laid the golden egg.

Why would fans come to Adams Park to watch Division Two games when they could sit at home and see Manchester United for nothing?

Thankfully, Lawrie Sanchez's team gave them a reason why this week. Gritty Wanderers proved there is still some romance in soccer. They showed the game isn't just about flash stars with pop star wives. It's about your local team doing you proud by giving their all in the name of your town.

Those South Bucks residents who have shamelessly climbed on the bandwagon by supporting clubs like Man Utd will quickly fall off it when their team gets a few poor results.

The only way for football to survive long term is for smaller teams to thrive. And Man U fans living in this area should remember this: You're the richest club in the world, but Wycombe Wanderers have still gone much further than you in the FA Cup.