L1 chairman’s warning over future of league clubs
Fleetwood chairman Andy Pilley has issued a stark warning about the future of some lower league clubs – and when football will return.
All football has been suspendedduetothecoronavirus pandemic.
Pilley told The Sun: “My football club will be OK. I may have to cost cut but I will find a way to navigate through these times.
“My concern is that we may have double figures of football clubs who go to the wall, famous clubs who will no longer exist. The integrity of the competition is at stake. We want a healthy football league with sustainable clubs for the future. Our last home game was March 7 – that was he last time we got gate receipts. On March 12 we closed our sports complex and have lost lots of revenue streams. Rental of pitches, offices, parties. Our situation will be the same for many clubs.”
“I am the eternal optimist, however I must be a realist about what’s going to happen in the future. My prediction is thattherecouldbenogamesin 2020 in front of crowds.
“Whenwecomeoutoflockdown and be back to normal, there’ll be a gradual release.
“Massgatheringsarenotgoing to be permitted.
“Mediumtermtherewillbe no revenue either, games will beplayedbehindcloseddoors. Ghost games.
“That’s the only way we’ll beabletoconcludetheseason, which is absolutely essential.”
*The Scottish Professional Football League has advanced lower-leagueclubsthe£1.8million they were due at the end of the original season.
Clubs voted to end the Championship, League One and League Two on Wednesdaybecauseofthecoronavirus pandemic.