I can't see how, as Sandow walked out on us, we would still be paying him. Therefore, how could there be any affect on salary cap?

They finished above us and got into the play-offs which we didn't

Fair comment but our fortunes subsequently reversed

Oh indeed. They were only better that very next season

Could it be that our payments to the lower clubs is the only proven example of the capitalist theory of wealth trickling down from the top?

I didn't say that it didn't happen it was the "more often" part of RD's theory that I needed to be convinced of and I'm sorry but I haven't spotted a trend