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Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next season

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Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next season

Postby Dan » Mon May 18, 2020 9:53 pm

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52706893

Swindon Town chairman Lee Power fears "30-40%" of League One and Two clubs may not make it to the start of next season without further financial aid.

League Two sides, many struggling with the financial effects of coronavirus, opted to end the campaign early.

"Unless there's some help from higher up the food chain, there's going to be a number of clubs that won't see the start of [next] season," Power said.

Swindon were second when the season was suspended and are set to be promoted.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wiltshire, he continued: "As owner and chairman, you have to start looking at how you budget and work towards what looks like a September start and how you're going to get there.

"A number of CEOs and owners of football clubs in Leagues One and Two have had these discussions and it's a simple fact that 30-40% of us won't get there unless there's some help.

"It's a very difficult job and the EFL work very hard on this along with the FA. They're trying to find solutions and I'm sure they will come up with one."

Friday's decision to end the League Two season early still needs to be ratified by the English Football League and the Football Association.

League One sides are still to come to an agreement about the outcome of their season, after some clubs said they were determined to complete their remaining fixtures.

Power continued: "There have been a number of issues that need to be resolved, ie the finishing of this season, which as a collective we have done in League Two.

"Now the focus needs to be on how everyone gets through to the start of next season and I think that's going to be a lot more difficult than resolving the final league positions we've had to do in League Two."

Power says Swindon have lost a significant amount of money from not being able to play fixtures during the lockdown.

He said an exact figure was "difficult to quantify" but added: "It's well into its millions, not hundreds of thousands, of cash flow that has been lost.

"We thought we would get double-digit attendances for the last few games at the County Ground and this virus has struck while we're in the middle of season ticket sales.

"We now have a situation between now and September where there's still no more income but players are being paid.

"Everyone is aware of it in the EFL and in football, but it's trying to find a solution to keep everyone going."
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Sandy Pate Best Stag » Tue May 19, 2020 6:53 am

If Swindon really are in financial trouble to that extent, maybe they should think seriously about promotion should it be offered.

The wage bill for a league one club is normally higher than that for a league 2 outfit. Would crowds watching them struggle in league one be as large as a promotion push in league two? It would take some bottle to decline promotion but it could be the difference to staying in business
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby adamstag » Tue May 19, 2020 8:44 am

Sandy Pate Best Stag wrote:If Swindon really are in financial trouble to that extent, maybe they should think seriously about promotion should it be offered.

The wage bill for a league one club is normally higher than that for a league 2 outfit. Would crowds watching them struggle in league one be as large as a promotion push in league two? It would take some bottle to decline promotion but it could be the difference to staying in business


The problem being is for half of the season there probably won’t be any crowds to worry about!

But of course you’d take your place in league 1
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Sandy Pate Best Stag » Tue May 19, 2020 1:01 pm

I can't see there being any start to a season without crowds Adam as there just wouldn't be enough money to make it financially viable.
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Tippy Tappy Football » Fri May 22, 2020 10:39 am

Doncaster Rovers senior pros have agreed to a wage deferral to help the club to keep fulfilling its aim to support all staff and give the club the best chance of surviving if football needs to be played behind closed doors.

"More than 200 staff, including Rovers players and playing staff, have been furloughed. This has helped to safeguard the club in the immediacy of this crisis. Despite the challenges, Club Doncaster has worked hard to top up its employees’ pay to ensure that every member of the Club Doncaster family can rule out money worries from what is already an extremely difficult time. The players’ wage deferral will go a long way to allowing the club to keep fulfilling its aim to support staff in this way and give the club the best chance of surviving if football needs to be played behind closed doors."

https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/new ... ult-times/
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Tippy Tappy Football » Sat May 30, 2020 10:38 am

Swindon chairman has Lee Power told the High Court that the club could go into administration. He said that he cannot afford to cover the League Two side's losses. He claims an American-based company called Able are willing to buy the Robins for £7.5m but the court heard that two men who own part of Swindon had not been consulted and had concerns over the sale.

Power told the court the blocking of the sale would mean Swindon would have to go into administration, and cost him £5.8m, which he was attempting to claim as damages. The judge said there was no evidence that a deal worth £7.5m was likely in the current circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic and dismissed his application.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52737205
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Tippy Tappy Football » Sat May 30, 2020 10:47 am

The biggest team in the Universe are facing financial oblivion if relegated.

Gary Sweet says “I can confirm to you, financially, but also from a status perspective and a progress perspective, League One is not where we want to be, it would put us into a certain state of financial oblivion, with the Championship debt, being taken down to League One, with League One financial reward. It’s not something we are willing to accept and it’s something we have to avoid at all costs, so we’ve got to, first of all, deal with the bigger picture.” Sweet revealed it would cost Luton around £6million if were they to be relegated back to the third tier.

Sweet added: "The difference between funding, for example, between the Championship and League One, is really stark. To give you an idea in terms of broadcast and sponsorship rights, from the Football League and the money that is filtering down from the Premier League, there is around about a £6million difference between the two, which actually constitutes about five-fold the amount of money. So, when you have a squad that you are trying to build for the Championship and you take them down to League One, whilst the salaries do drop, you have that issue to deal with. But also as coronavirus is effectively into all cash reserve and forcing clubs to take on debt, that debt is effectively Championship level. When you take that down into League One and you are only rewarded with League One financial rewards, that becomes such an impossible situation to deal with.

https://thelutonian.com/sweet-warns-of- ... -the-drop/
Last edited by Tippy Tappy Football on Sat May 30, 2020 10:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby oldweststander » Sat May 30, 2020 10:52 am

Don't laugh, but for the grace of God, it could be us?
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Sandy Pate Best Stag » Sat May 30, 2020 1:52 pm

And that is exactly why it is unfair to relegate anyone in the current climate. It's one thing accepting relegation if it comes after a full season but an entirely different matter if you've had almost a quarter of the season written off. Teams that invested and strengthened in January haven't had the benefit of that strengthening for the remaining matches and it is impossible to come up with a formula which accounts for that.

Of course without relegation there should be no promotion either unless the Premiership expands to accommodate it.
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Jimstag » Sun May 31, 2020 8:05 am

It’s not fair, I didn’t have a seat when the music stopped!

The issue is that they didn’t have a rule prepared for when it stopped unexpectedly. Personally I can’t believe they don’t already have a rule about it, they do for match abandonments so why not season abandonments?

I can’t see why they are pressing on with this at the moment, it’s pretty clear that clubs are going to have financial issues the longer they can’t involve fans properly. Levels like ours will have to be readjusted if teams go pop so can we not wait it out?
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Tippy Tappy Football » Sun May 31, 2020 1:36 pm

The scally that is Paul Scally, Chairman of Gillingham, says that Gillingham cannot afford to finish the season:

“It is impossible to get the games in, in my view, and even if we could get the games in the financial cost for every league 1 club at the £250-£350,000 mark is just unaffordable. We haven’t got the funds to spend on finishing nine games, it is just too expensive.”

Mr Scally has previously suggested the Professional Footballers’ Association stump up the cost of coronavirus testing, which for many clubs at their level is an extra cost that they just can’t afford. The EFL have put the price of testing at around £140,000 per club.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/spo ... an-227993/
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Sandy Pate Best Stag » Sun May 31, 2020 2:09 pm

And what happens if a player who has taken part in training/games then posts a positive test?

Does every player, official, trainer manager, tv crew etc who has been in contact with that player in the previous 7 days go into self isolation for a minimum of 7 days. You could quite easily have two whole clubs in lockdown if games are 7 days apart or possibly 4 if the games are every 3 to 4 days.

I haven't seen that question answered by anyone in an official capacity and probably won't do. It's ok testing before games if they are to be more than 7 days apart as opponents would be through any possible incubation period after that time but if games are to be played more frequently there is no guarantee the virus won't be passed through the whole league. How long to complete games if clubs can't compete? Will they be expected to forfeit the points?

Sorry but the idea of rushing games through is wrong and puts lives at risk. Another government mistake in the name of all powerful sport and tv money.
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Amber Andy » Sun May 31, 2020 2:43 pm

Sandy Pate Best Stag wrote:And what happens if a player who has taken part in training/games then posts a positive test?

Does every player, official, trainer manager, tv crew etc who has been in contact with that player in the previous 7 days go into self isolation for a minimum of 7 days. You could quite easily have two whole clubs in lockdown if games are 7 days apart or possibly 4 if the games are every 3 to 4 days.

I haven't seen that question answered by anyone in an official capacity and probably won't do. It's ok testing before games if they are to be more than 7 days apart as opponents would be through any possible incubation period after that time but if games are to be played more frequently there is no guarantee the virus won't be passed through the whole league. How long to complete games if clubs can't compete? Will they be expected to forfeit the points?



Sorry but the idea of rushing games through is wrong and puts lives at risk. Another government mistake in the name of all powerful sport and tv money.
Isn't it 14 days self isolation if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus ?
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby MTFCMAD » Sun May 31, 2020 3:47 pm

Amber Andy wrote:
Sandy Pate Best Stag wrote:And what happens if a player who has taken part in training/games then posts a positive test?

Does every player, official, trainer manager, tv crew etc who has been in contact with that player in the previous 7 days go into self isolation for a minimum of 7 days. You could quite easily have two whole clubs in lockdown if games are 7 days apart or possibly 4 if the games are every 3 to 4 days.

I haven't seen that question answered by anyone in an official capacity and probably won't do. It's ok testing before games if they are to be more than 7 days apart as opponents would be through any possible incubation period after that time but if games are to be played more frequently there is no guarantee the virus won't be passed through the whole league. How long to complete games if clubs can't compete? Will they be expected to forfeit the points?



Sorry but the idea of rushing games through is wrong and puts lives at risk. Another government mistake in the name of all powerful sport and tv money.
Isn't it 14 days self isolation if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus ?


Yes
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby cassellswasmagic » Sun May 31, 2020 3:48 pm

Amber Andy wrote:
Sandy Pate Best Stag wrote:And what happens if a player who has taken part in training/games then posts a positive test?

Does every player, official, trainer manager, tv crew etc who has been in contact with that player in the previous 7 days go into self isolation for a minimum of 7 days. You could quite easily have two whole clubs in lockdown if games are 7 days apart or possibly 4 if the games are every 3 to 4 days.

I haven't seen that question answered by anyone in an official capacity and probably won't do. It's ok testing before games if they are to be more than 7 days apart as opponents would be through any possible incubation period after that time but if games are to be played more frequently there is no guarantee the virus won't be passed through the whole league. How long to complete games if clubs can't compete? Will they be expected to forfeit the points?



Sorry but the idea of rushing games through is wrong and puts lives at risk. Another government mistake in the name of all powerful sport and tv money.
Isn't it 14 days self isolation if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus ?

Yes, 14 days. Seven if you’ve got it. I think.
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Sandy Pate Best Stag » Sun May 31, 2020 4:15 pm

Yes but if a player tests positive 7 days after a match, the incubation period is on the last day. So another player should be showing symptoms Another 7 days would take them to 14 days since the last contact, that is for opposition players. Teammates would need the extra 7 days on top. That seems the logical conclusion to me.
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Bradders » Sun May 31, 2020 6:46 pm

cassellswasmagic wrote:
Amber Andy wrote:
Sandy Pate Best Stag wrote:And what happens if a player who has taken part in training/games then posts a positive test?

Does every player, official, trainer manager, tv crew etc who has been in contact with that player in the previous 7 days go into self isolation for a minimum of 7 days. You could quite easily have two whole clubs in lockdown if games are 7 days apart or possibly 4 if the games are every 3 to 4 days.

I haven't seen that question answered by anyone in an official capacity and probably won't do. It's ok testing before games if they are to be more than 7 days apart as opponents would be through any possible incubation period after that time but if games are to be played more frequently there is no guarantee the virus won't be passed through the whole league. How long to complete games if clubs can't compete? Will they be expected to forfeit the points?



Sorry but the idea of rushing games through is wrong and puts lives at risk. Another government mistake in the name of all powerful sport and tv money.
Isn't it 14 days self isolation if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus ?

Yes, 14 days. Seven if you’ve got it. I think.

That's correct if no reliable test is available, so it's a good rule for the public. It's based on the premise that you don't know whether you have caught the virus from the person in your household who has symptoms, so the only test is to wait a fortnight and see if anything develops. Or if you have it but no symptoms, it gives you a chance to clear it.

But if one player turns up for pre match testing and is positive, obviously he's excluded and must self isolate immediately. Assuming that all other tests are negative and that the testing site guarantees no cross infection, the rest can continue with the match. They don't have to self isolate because they are known virus free, even if they trained with the infected player all week.
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Sandy Pate Best Stag » Sun May 31, 2020 8:29 pm

But how many times have people with symptoms tested negative only to test positive a couple of days later? And will the results be instantly available when tests are done pre-match?

Also the scenario I am suggesting is when a player has actually played a match and then tests positive days later.
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Rob » Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:14 am

People in all trades and businesses are now returning to work, why shouldn't over paid, pampered footballers? With their testing regime they are safer than the rest of us. As Bumble would say "get on with the game!".
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Bradders » Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:51 am

Sandy Pate Best Stag wrote:But how many times have people with symptoms tested negative only to test positive a couple of days later? And will the results be instantly available when tests are done pre-match?

Also the scenario I am suggesting is when a player has actually played a match and then tests positive days later.

I don't know what the plan is, but surely all players will have to arrive separately, be tested on arrival, and wait in isolation until the results are known. Then they play the match, knowing that there's no virus on the pitch at that time. Other staff will have to 2 metre distance, as in any workplace. Testing and separation is key for players because they have no option but close contact during the 90 minutes, and if one player arrives and tests positive we don't want to be forced to abandon the match at that stage.
If a player tests positive later in the week, it's not a problem for the match as he would be known to have been clear at the time.
I'm no expert, but I don't see an obvious alternative.
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby I am Spartacus » Mon Jun 01, 2020 5:41 pm

And then there is another point of view, that of a player at the end of his contract.

Lyle Taylor the top scorer of Charlton Athletic has said that he will not be playing in the restarted football season as he fears he may get injured and this may affect his ability to sign a ‘life changing contract’. His contract with Charlton expires on the 30th June and play restarts on the 20th. How many players with their contracts running down or through fear of injury or infection will make the restarted ‘competition’ a farce by just going through the motions. Waiting for a ‘safer’ start to the 20/21 to give it some beans.

I am glad, thanks to John Dempster’s foresight, that we aren’t in a position to be actively pushing or aiming for a restart.

However, role on next season. COYS
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Martin Shaw » Tue Jun 02, 2020 6:55 pm

"Four points clear as Lincoln are McCaffreyised", CHAD headline, April 1975
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Tippy Tappy Football » Thu Jun 04, 2020 10:01 am

Grimsby Town's 10 contracted players and management staff have agreed to accept a 25% pay cut until they can play games in front of crowds again.

https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/spor ... rs-4191369

https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/spor ... rs-4179345
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Re: Swindon Town chairman fears clubs may not reach next sea

Postby Tippy Tappy Football » Wed Jun 10, 2020 10:18 pm

Tranmere Rovers Football Club regrets to announce that, as a consequence of the financial pressures caused by the suspension of all football in the country, which pressures were exacerbated by the EFL's decision yesterday to terminate the League One season and demote the Club to League Two, approximately 20 staff have been informed that their positions will be made redundant from the end of July.

With no prospect of an early return to football in front of paying crowds, the Club's income streams are hugely reduced, potentially into 2021. As a consequence, the Club has made this incredibly difficult decision with a very heavy heart to ensure the Club's financial security during these unprecedented times. The Club will be making no further comment.
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