Club boss fears it won’t survive without a crowd
THE owner of a Derby non-league football club has said it “will not survive” if it has to play games behind closed doors.
Mickleover FC chairman Don Amott told the Derby Telegraph he is worried about the club’s future if fans won’t be able to come to see them in action.
The Government has recently announced sport in the UK can return but only behind closed doors and to the strictest of rules as far as testing and social distancing is concerned.
Like other local non-league clubs, the coronavirus pandemic has put a strain on Mickleover’s finances, with games cancelled and other big community events it runs forced to be called off as well.
Yesterday, the club confirmed its name change from Mickleover Sports to Mickleover FC.
Mr Amott, dubbed the “King of Caravans” due to the success of his local mobile home business, said the club will have lost in the region of £20,000 throughout the pandemic – but stressed the health of everyone was most important.
With the current non-league season now over, attention turns to next season and the club expects to cope with a reduced budget.
But when Mickleover can return to action is uncertain as no announcements have been regarding next season’s Northern Premier League Premier Division.
Mr Amott said he does not know whether fans will be allowed to watch future home games.
“It looks like spectators won’t be able to go to football matches for quite a while now,” he said.
“I’m wondering if fans will be able to come and watch – non-league football may be able to benefit.
“We normally get around 300 people and we’ll be able to space them all out. But will it be allowed? “We cannot survive with no fans because we’ll have no income. Without fans, we cannot open. “I’ve been through a number of recessions in business and you come out the other end, but with this pandemic nobody knows what is going to happen.”
The Derby Telegraph has approached the FA and the Government to ask whether there is a chance for fans to attend non-league games in the near future.
An FA spokesman said: “We continue to work tirelessly with the football community, across every level of the game, to assess the impact of the coronavirus, while taking the important steps to support the welfare of clubs, players, staff and supporters.
“During this consultation period with our football stakeholders, we will continue to follow Government advice and provide ongoing support for the game as we plan for football to resume when it is safe and possible to do so.”
To make up for Mickleover’s losses in income, a Just Giving page has been set up so fans can help keep the club afloat.
Donations can be made by visiting the Just Giving website and searching for Mickleover FC.
So far more than £3,000 has been raised, with the club hoping to achieve a target of around £15,000.
Mr Amott said: “The people in Mickleover have been absolutely brilliant and really supported us.
“It is difficult because it is hard for everybody at the moment but we’re just looking for small donations. We don’t get support from the Football League. When we get going again, we will repay those people who have supported us.”
We cannot survive with no fans because we’ll have no income. Without fans, we cannot open.
Don Amott