Dale chief says axing season would be ‘disaster’ for clubs

ROCHDALE chief executive David Bottomley has outlined the ‘disastrous’ consequences for some lower league clubs should the coronavirus outbreak see a cancellation of the 2019/20 season.

All EFL matches have been suspended until April 3 at the earliest in light of the outbreak with fears that the suspension could go on even longer with fixtures unable to be fulfilled at all.

And Bottomley said that could have a devastating effect on some clubs – including Dale, who have punched above their financial weight in League One for several years.

Dale were scheduled to play three home games before the end of the month, all of which have been postponed. A further three home games are pencilled in for next month.

Fortunately, the serious hit to the club’s finances comes during a season in which they have benefited from big cup draws at Manchester United and Newcastle United.

The sale of Luke Matheson to Wolves recently will also help to cushion the blow. Nevertheless, the potential loss of income from home matches will put a strain on the club.

“It’s very worrying for any industry that relies on people paying to come and watch it for the majority of its income,” said Bottomley.

“We’re looking at a big impact on our finances in March. We’re fortunate as a club that, because of things that have happened recently like the sale of a player, we can afford to get through the next few days without playing three games of football. But we need that income at some stage.

“If they cancelled the season and said ‘no more football’ that would have a disastrous effect on our finances because we have got six more [home] games to come. I would fear for a lot of clubs who are probably living very hand-to-mouth and rely on gate receipts.

“I have a lot of sympathy with the EFL. They are probably being bombarded with emails from 71 clubs asking how much money they have in reserve and ‘what are you going to do to compensate clubs?’ At the same time, the EFL is probably bombarding the sports minister.”