‘We are missing a large part of our soul without fans’
CHAMPIONSHIP SIDES BUOYED BY RETURN OF SPECTATORS
FOR clubs playing in the Betfred Championship, the return of fans this year is the biggest factor in their survival.
The second tier relies heavily on crowds for their income, making up the largest proportion of their annual profits.
Without attendance at matchdays, clubs have been relying on volunteer help, furloughing their staff and asking players to perform on much-reduced wages.
Now, May 17 is a day these clubs are working towards with quiet optimism as fans are to be allowed back into stadia.
“Clubs like Oldham RLFC rely heavily on the support of their loyal fans so the news that they will hopefully be allowed back in May, even in reduced numbers, is a big boost for the club,” said Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton.
“We desperately need the income from fans being allowed in to watch games as we will incur heavy losses in the period from when we start playing again until they can come back.
“People miss their teams so much because they are so passionate in their love and support for their club and Oldham has many examples of this.
“We all hope we can start the season in a positive manner and will continue to plan for the return of fans, as we have for a considerable period of time. The club is missing a big part of its soul without spectators and we want them back.”
That sentiment was shared by Stephen Wild, CEO of Swinton Lions, who face their oldest rivals, Oldham, in the first round of the competition on April 2.
He said: “At least with a clear road map we can now plan for the future with a little more certainty.
“Financially we have survived reasonably okay up until this point - thanks to the assistance of central distributions and furlough, as well as the outstanding loyalty of our commercial partners and supporters. However, the prospect of playing future games behind closed doors for any length of time would certainly have brought significant financial pressures.
“It’s been a testing time but provided there are no further reversals with the pandemic, and we are able to welcome back at least limited crowds in the early summer, then we’re confident Swinton Lions can emerge from the storm clouds in a relatively secure position.”