Would the last one to leave please turn off the floodlights!
RISING ENERGY BILLS CONCERNS BANTAMS CHIEF
BRADFORD CITY supremo Ryan Sparks has delivered a stark warning with the cost of living crisis set to wreak havoc throughout the EFL.
As already hard-up clubs gear up for a winter of discontent due to soaring energy prices, the idea of 1pm kick-offs – in order to avoid playing under floodlights – has been mooted.
Energy bills are set to triple and for a League Two club like the promotion-chasing Bantams, who regularly play in front of over 16,000 fans at the University of Bradford Stadium, the rising costs will present a drastic challenge.
Bradford CEO Sparks said: “It’s going to be very expensive and unavoidable – and it’s obviously impacting budgets across the EFL.
“We are already taking measures to reduce our impact on the environment, but also now to further reduce our energy usage, such as the use of solar power.
“There is a suggestion within the game that we could move kick-off times, in the winter months, to 1pm on a Saturday and that’s something we would consider. Floodlights are expensive to run and, when you add that up over the best part of 20-30 home games, the costs are heavy. And that’s only one area of energy demand. We have made our thoughts known to the Football League about referees requesting that floodlights are used in recent games, which I find unacceptable given what we’re all about to go through and the clear demand to protect the environment.
Unnecessary
“We played Crewe a couple of weeks ago, with the floodlights on from the half-hour mark, which was unnecessary.
“It’s about being as sustainable as you can and using as little energy as possible, but rising costs are having a huge effect already.
“We would ideally prefer to spend money on players and facilities, but there are certain projects, such as improving the stadium and surrounding areas, we’ve had to shelve due to the impending rising costs.
“It’s a bit of a cloud hanging over our club and every other club. We’re trying to run the stadium to a minimum to keep energy costs down.”
The Bantams boast the biggest fanbase in the fourth tier but Sparks admits that some supporters may no longer be able to afford to attend games.
He said: “We made a bold move earlier this year to freeze our season-tickets prices and look at ourselves in the mirror as to where we can generate income or save money to allow that to continue.
Value
“At £198 for an adult, it represents outstanding value and we’re only charging £5 for our next Papa John’s Trophy match, so we’re doing our best to make sure people can still come out and enjoy football without it affecting personal finances.”
Prime Minister Liz Truss (left) this week announced plans to support businesses and Sparks added: “This is a time for the Government to act and support because we’re facing a challenging situation and it’s a major concern at a lot of clubs and businesses across the UK.”