Survey reveals huge fears over football’s future

A NEW survey from Fair Game has revealed a deep-seated fear amongst the nation’s lower league clubs as the cost-of-living crisis starts to hit, writes Rob Clarke.

The organisation, which is campaigning for improved governance of the game, surveyed 40 clubs from across the pyramid (one in the Championship, five in League One, Six in League Two, nine in the National League, seven in National League North, seven in National League South, and five further down the pyramid).

The results are stark with clubs urging the government and the Premier League to address the game’s financial flow as a matter of urgency.

Nearly all the clubs surveyed were either concerned or very concerned about the cost-of-living crisis. On average, out of 10, the clubs’ level of concern was a massive 7.15 – a figure that peaked amongst clubs in League Two (8.20).

Of the 40 clubs polled, 68 per-cent demanded extra financial support from the Premier League with 53 per-cent asking for state intervention.

The Premier League are set to reveal their own plans for football in a “New Deal” but it is expected to offer little or nothing for the clubs outside the country’s top two divisions.

Clubs are also considering drastic action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis:

- 63 per-cent would consider lunchtime kick-offs for weekend League matches;

- 50 per-cent would consider lunchtime kick-offs for FA Cup ties;

- 60 per-cent are toying with halting ground improvements; and

- 38 per-cent would look at cutting the non-playing staff budget.

Notably only 25 per-cent of clubs would consider cutting players’ wages – and most of those clubs are outside the country’s top four tiers.

However, the clubs were also willing to help their community with 68 per-cent willing to open up space in their stadium to help keep the vulnerable warm – a figure that rose to 89 per-cent among the 20 Fair Game member clubs that replied to the survey.

Meanwhile, 57 per-cent of Fair Game clubs are keen to explore a joint deal to supply renewable energy – mainly among the clubs outside the EFL, who are not tied to existing deals.

Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game, said: “The results paint a very bleak future for football outside the top echelons of the game.

“Having survived the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis could well be the death knell for the hard-working community clubs lower down the pyramid.

“Lower league football clubs are the heartbeat of their communities, but right now they are in intensive care.

“The Premier League are at best going to offer a sticky plaster. They have had decades to address the problem and they should stand aside.

“It is now up to the Government to intervene.

“The recent Fan-Led Review set up by the Conservative Party revealed the financial flow within the game, and the governance that sits behind it, is broken.

“Fair Game are calling for action now. We were promised Levelling Up, instead we could see the levelling of football stadia across the country with decades of history and tradition wiped off the map.

“The Government needs to deliver on its promise of an independent regulator now. A regulator that can oversee football’s financial flow. Without it the pyramid of our national game will crumble.”