The smaller clubs desperately need a bail-out.. this is not a request it’s a PRAYER
BURTON CHAIRMAN BEN ROBINSON MAKES A PLEA TO THE BIG CLUBS: PLEASE HELP, WE WILL RUN OUT OF CASH
BURTON owner Ben Robinson admits lower league clubs need a “bail-out” from the Premier League to survive despite getting some cash from the top-flight this week.
The Brewers’ chairman says the coronavirus crisis has cost them £750,000 and reckons most clubs have taken out loans to help their cash-flow.
It has seen Burton trim their squad to 20 players and slash their budget to help survival as they face up to the new season starting in 30 days’ time.
They have also been badly affected by hospitality revenues from wedding and conferences at the Pirelli Stadium being halted. Robinson says short-term help is on the way as League One clubs are due £174,000 this week from the Premier League as an advance of 50 per cent of the solidarity payment originally scheduled for January, with the rest following in October.
The EFL are helping out too with £70,000 a month for clubs from their central funding pool – with several months up front.
Robinson is grateful but says more cash will be needed as there will be no gate money when games restart behind closed doors.
The chairman said: “I am hopeful the Premier League might see a way eventually to giving clubs additional financial support.
“It is not a demand, it is a prayer really. We are very appreciative Premier League clubs and the EFL are helping out with short-term funding. But after a few months with no realistic gate income, most clubs are going to struggle to pay wages.
“The fact the Premier League have done a fantastic TV deal is to their credit. There is nothing that says they have to help the lower clubs but we hope there might be a bail-out around the corner.
“These imminent monies are going to be used to pay the majority of staff over the next couple of months. But for the majority of clubs it won’t solve the long-term problem. It is a short-term fix with such dramatic levels of income missing.
“Clubs will have virtually zero income but salaries to pay.”
Robinson has run Burton since 1995 after also being chairman from 1976-1986. He was given an MBE by Prince William last November for services to the community. Now the insurance businessman is trying to keep Burton going with rookie playermanager Jake Buxton.
But it isn’t easy amid a range of issues including forking out £100 per time per person for Covid-19 tests for all players and staff.
Robinson explained: “Covid has probably cost us £750,000 so far with lots of anxious moments due to so much uncertainty. It is important the
season gets up and running. We are very fortunate a lot of our sponsors are going to support us next season. They are also not asking for any rebate in respect of last season’s curtailment.
“We have put our season tickets on sale and the early bird price finishes this weekend. I would think about 25 per cent have renewed.
“They can watch the games streamed online and for any game that is played behind closed doors, they can claim a refund.
“We are waiting to see if some fans might be allowed in in October and waiting to hear about government’s plans for hospitality. Like most clubs, we have large areas of hospitality where accommodating fans wouldn’t be a problem.
“But until fans are allowed into venues without limitations it is going to be a struggle.”