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Post by zenfootball2 on Sept 23, 2020 9:13:52 GMT 1
www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2020/09/23/shrewsbury-town-chief-brian-caldwell-fears-for-efl-clubs/"Chief executive Brian Caldwell feels lower league football clubs face ‘real concerns’ over their futures – but adds Shrewsbury Town enter new Covid-19 measures from a position of strength “Matchday income is so important to League One and League Two clubs as it’s a far higher percentage of turnover than in the Premier League and Championship, due to their TV monies, so it must be a real worry for clubs,” Caldwell told the Shropshire Star.I would think that there will be quite a few clubs waking up to this potential news today with real concerns for the future of their clubs.” "The Meadow CEO does at least hope that, having completed a successful pilot fixture, Shrewsbury are in a position of strength for when the green light is given for fans to return. Caldwell added: “Having done so well with the pilot at the weekend we hoped we would be able to move on to the next stage for the Gillingham game and be able to operate our full social-distancing plan in opening all four stands. “My hope is that by at least running a successful pilot we are in a better place than the other 65 EFL clubs who haven’t done one, whenever we can move forward" Speaking in May, Caldwell warned that no supporters at stadia until 2021 could mean losses of up to £2million to Shrewsbury Town and other clubs."
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Post by ipswichshrews on Sept 23, 2020 9:20:55 GMT 1
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Post by The Shropshire Tenor on Sept 23, 2020 11:10:18 GMT 1
I have never subscribed to ifollow but I wonder whether it could be made available for all games and open to fans to support their clubs by subscribing either on a game by game basis or with something like an online season ticket.
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Post by El Huracán!!!! on Sept 23, 2020 11:34:06 GMT 1
You can already get a game by game pass.
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Post by The Shropshire Tenor on Sept 23, 2020 11:39:46 GMT 1
You can already get a game by game pass. Thanks, is it available for home games? I thought it was away only. Another question, I’m out most Saturday afternoons so can the games be watched later?
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Post by servernaside on Sept 23, 2020 11:44:08 GMT 1
These are difficult times for lower league clubs who are largely dependent upon gate receipts for their income. It's difficult to see how the government can provide financial support for this sector when so many other areas of the economy are undergoing economic hardship, plus it might prove politically difficult as many members of the public think and are largely correct, that the game is awash with money at the higher levels. It would be nice if the Premier League would assist, but they are facing similar income shortfalls themselves and are not known for their generous spirit in allowing a trickle down in funding. Coupled with the fact that most EPL clubs are either wholly, or partially owned by foreign investors, I think any request for assistance from that source will fall on deaf ears.
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Post by ThrobsBlackHat on Sept 23, 2020 12:34:36 GMT 1
One thing that will make life very, very difficult for football is the population at large are offended by their obscene salaries.
Even though the situation is different in the lower leagues, there is still not a bank of goodwill towards them.
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mcrshrew
Midland League Division Two
Posts: 240
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Post by mcrshrew on Sept 23, 2020 19:01:34 GMT 1
Genuine question here.
If it's only a matter of time before clubs start to get into trouble / fold, surely the season will have to be stopped and for there to be some sort of hibernation period.
In that case (or another similar case) would there be no legal prevision for clubs to let players go without consequence i.e not getting taken to court?
I wouldn't have thought it impossible for contracts to have some stipulation that the suspension / cancellation of all football (as happened from March to whenever) meant the contract was invalid / annulled.
Not looking to debate the morals etc, just wondering if anyone's got any inside knowledge.
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Post by Worthingshrew on Sept 23, 2020 21:05:52 GMT 1
If there is no matches for 6 months and therefore no income, the logical thing to do is suspend the season so at least there are no expenses other than contracts. That would keep the losses to a minimum? Terrible step to take but the most logical?
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Post by servernaside on Sept 24, 2020 9:49:43 GMT 1
If, as seems likely, fans are not to be allowed into stadia in any meaningful numbers until sometime in 2021, then the only logical thing to do is abandon the EFL 2020/21 season now. All player contracts would have to be cancelled - subject to legal approval using the argument of 'force majeure' and the clubs go into economic deep freeze until they are once again allowed to play football in front of large crowds. Only the running costs of the empty stadia and the servicing of any debts would be the remaining outgoings. Continuation of this season as it is currently being played, is financial suicide.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2020 9:57:19 GMT 1
One thing that will make life very, very difficult for football is the population at large are offended by their obscene salaries. Even though the situation is different in the lower leagues, there is still not a bank of goodwill towards them. A good point. I saw an article recently saying it hadn't gone unnoticed at Westminster about the transfer fees/wages spent during the summer, particularly by clubs using furlough and/or laying off staff. And isnt just a Premier League thing, we know clubs spend beyond their means at all levels I suspect there will be calls for football to get its own house in order and to spread the wealth, I suspect that will highlight two things. Firstly, the tribalism in the game and the lack of supporting each other (which we know already). And secondly, whilst there are apparently billions in the game, there is also a hell of a lot of debt and maybe there isnt that much to share.
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Post by GrizzlyShrew on Sept 24, 2020 10:44:40 GMT 1
If, as seems likely, fans are not to be allowed into stadia in any meaningful numbers until sometime in 2021, then the only logical thing to do is abandon the EFL 2020/21 season now. All player contracts would have to be cancelled - subject to legal approval using the argument of 'force majeure' and the clubs go into economic deep freeze until they are once again allowed to play football in front of large crowds. Only the running costs of the empty stadia and the servicing of any debts would be the remaining outgoings. Continuation of this season as it is currently being played, is financial suicide. Very sensible suggestions from the club point of view. Only moves the financial disaster onto the players who wont get paid i guess though.
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Post by harboroughshrew on Sept 24, 2020 11:10:00 GMT 1
What has amazed me is the lack of foresight by some clubs at all levels who have continued paying inflated transfer fees and unrealistic wages as if this crisis is something which will just blow over in a few weeks. Our transfer business over the summer seems to have been relatively restrained but some of the usual suspects are splashing cash they do not seem to have as usual. If there is any financial support coming (and it is difficult to see why football should be treated any differently to other hard-hit sectors such as hospitality/entertainment) it is important it is somehow targeted at well-run clubs that have a chance of long term survival. It should not go to those clubs with massive debts or those owned by offshore companies otherwise it is just throwing good money after bad. Best case scenario would be a vaccine early in the new year and a phased return for crowds in the second half of the season.
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Post by staffordshrew on Sept 24, 2020 11:39:14 GMT 1
What bugs me is that the hospitality sector is being allowed limited opening while sport has simply had it's pilot schemes stopped.
Pubs and restaurants can go on to 10pm and save money on staff costs after that. Captain kneejerk (Boris) needs to allow the lower leugue clubs to demonstrate what they can do or come up with bail out money. The Premier league will be ok just on the telly.
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Post by Feedo Gnasher on Sept 24, 2020 12:34:17 GMT 1
What bugs me is that the hospitality sector is being allowed limited opening while sport has simply had it's pilot schemes stopped. Pubs and restaurants can go on to 10pm and save money on staff costs after that. Captain kneejerk (Boris) needs to allow the lower leugue clubs to demonstrate what they can do or come up with bail out money. The Premier league will be ok just on the telly. It’s easier to hit pause on something that hasn’t yet restarted, than it is to reverse an earlier decision. They’ll be no modelling on the individual effect of closing pubs at 10pm, or the individual effects of halting sports crowds, how can there be, there’s far too many variables. The Prime Minister is just taking stabs and hoping the infection rates drop, and if they don’t it’s not because of the random nature of the rules, but Joe Public’s fault for not following them.
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Post by returnofthehype on Sept 24, 2020 14:24:22 GMT 1
Biggest issue and probably the reason no meaningful rescue package from the government will be forth coming is the perception the game is awash with overpaid prima donnas.
When you read players are earning £600k a week it’s hard for the non supporting population to agree to any sort of help.
I personally believe and indeed hope no money is used to prop up badly managed clubs. it’s the same for every club, the ones who have lived beyond there means should ultimately be held accountable.
Thankfully for the short term at least our club will be safe, purely down to the excellent team we have at the top. Long may that continue.
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Post by tdk on Sept 24, 2020 14:46:57 GMT 1
Much as I would love to see football back, It logically makes more sense to close football and keep late night drinking open. I would suggest majority of the football fans in the at risk category
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Post by SeanBroseley on Sept 24, 2020 14:56:55 GMT 1
As soon as four teams fold in our division the season is over for at east half of the surviving teams.
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Post by tdk on Sept 24, 2020 15:53:24 GMT 1
Which four will be first to go?
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Post by northwestman on Sept 24, 2020 16:18:32 GMT 1
Which four will be first to go? Rochdale, Bristol Rovers, Charlton, Wigan?
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Post by tdk on Sept 24, 2020 17:38:09 GMT 1
Which four will be first to go? Rochdale, Bristol Rovers, Charlton, Wigan? Your usually right about financial matters. Be sorry to see Bristol go
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Post by Worthingshrew on Sept 24, 2020 18:22:11 GMT 1
I thought Bristol had got new financial backers?
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Post by davycrockett on Sept 24, 2020 18:36:26 GMT 1
Isn’t there a problem looming IF the National League doesn’t start? Got a feeling it’s a league rule that relegation is dependant on the league below playing?? What would happen to Macclesfield? More court appearances lmaybe
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Post by northwestman on Sept 24, 2020 19:00:50 GMT 1
I thought Bristol had got new financial backers? Not really. Just a shuffling of deckchairs between Wael and Hani Al Qadi, part of a family of Jordanian Bankers (Samer is the other brother). Capitalisation of £34.9 million of debts - that's exactly what Day and Dale did at Bury. www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2020/june/club-statement/Club President Wael Al Qadi has reached agreement for the acquisition of a controlling stake in our holding Company Dwane Sports from the other members of his family. This provides him with full control over Bristol Rovers (1883) Limited (BRFC1883) and Bristol Rovers Football Club Limited(BRFC). As part of this process, Wael has agreed to capitalise £18.4m of loans owed to Dwane Sports from BRFC 1883 and £16.5m owed by BRFC to BRFC1883. In addition to the above, he has also agreed to write off £2.1m in interest that was charged on these loans, leaving the club (apart from our ordinary trade creditors, leasing and HP agreements) substantively debt free.
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Post by theshrews81 on Sept 24, 2020 20:10:35 GMT 1
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Post by returnofthehype on Sept 24, 2020 20:16:55 GMT 1
Good! The well managed clubs will survive the ones that continue to spend beyond their means will not. In the long run will be the best thing that could have happened to the game. Let’s get clubs and more specifically there egotistical owners to realise that they can not continue to fleece their communities and local businesses and rely on “save or club bucketshakers” when the pot runs dry
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Post by Feedo Gnasher on Sept 24, 2020 21:09:36 GMT 1
Good! The well managed clubs will survive the ones that continue to spend beyond their means will not. In the long run will be the best thing that could have happened to the game. Let’s get clubs and more specifically there egotistical owners to realise that they can not continue to fleece their communities and local businesses and rely on “save or club bucketshakers” when the pot runs dry Not saying it’s right or wrong, but interesting that the sports minister is saying this one day after the prime minister answered a question on this from the MP for Mansfield, saying ‘the Chancellor and Culture Secretary’ are looking at it.
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Post by staffordshrew on Sept 24, 2020 21:12:50 GMT 1
Good! The well managed clubs will survive the ones that continue to spend beyond their means will not. In the long run will be the best thing that could have happened to the game. Let’s get clubs and more specifically there egotistical owners to realise that they can not continue to fleece their communities and local businesses and rely on “save or club bucketshakers” when the pot runs dry Not saying it’s right or wrong, but interesting that the sports minister is saying this one day after the prime minister answered a question on this from the MP for Mansfield, saying ‘the Chancellor and Culture Secretary’ are looking at it. You sound like someone who still thinks Boris has integrity.
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Post by Feedo Gnasher on Sept 24, 2020 21:14:28 GMT 1
Not saying it’s right or wrong, but interesting that the sports minister is saying this one day after the prime minister answered a question on this from the MP for Mansfield, saying ‘the Chancellor and Culture Secretary’ are looking at it. You sound like someone who still thinks Boris has integrity. Ha, no chance! Just taking every opportunity to call out his incompetence/deceit.
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Post by Feedo Gnasher on Sept 24, 2020 21:18:36 GMT 1
I do wonder if people are being a bit complacent in just assuming we’ll be fine as we’ve been so well run up to now. We only have 18/19 accounts to go on, but we held £2.7m in the bank, had turnover of just over £5m and salary costs of just over £4m. If we assume the majority of that turnover is going to be wiped out, and staff costs remain at a similar level, it’s clear even a club as well run as our is going to have to make some difficult decisions. www.shrewsburytown.com/siteassets/documents/1920/stfc-accounts-june-2019-at-report.pdf
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