7th tier club chairman opens up on financial troubles, future plans and makes plea to fans

Graham Black, the chairman of 7th tier club Prescot Cables, opens up on financial troubles, future plans and makes a plea to fans.

They have faced challenges after stepping up to the Northern Premier League premier League, which comes with a big increase in costs, especially travel, wages, and operations.

He said via the podcast ‘Hot off the Pres-Cot’ that attendances have dropped sharply from last season’s average of over 750 to around 400–450 recently, severely impacting revenue.

Cables are looking at reducing the playing squad size to stay sustainable, with the management team (including Steve Daley) taking pay cuts to protect players and the club’s future.

The board are wanting to become fully transparent and honest with supporters, highlighted the importance of the club being community-owned and volunteer-run, with the board unpaid, and is relying heavily on gate receipts, bar income, and sponsorship to get by.

🎙HOT OFF THE PRES-COT🎙

This week, we are joined by @PrescotCablesFC chairman Graham Black, who talks about the challenges the club are currently facing.

We also celebrate Ross’ 40th!

Please Like, Comment, Share & Subscribe https://t.co/FDZMLKAbNu

— The NPL Chat Podcast (@NPLChat) January 12, 2026

In his message to fans, they stress than everyone through the turnstiles makes a real difference, especially in tough economic times.

He thanked the already strong home atmosphere, especially on Tuesday nights and the solid away following, and plans going forward include a fan forum, a junior setup, potential membership model, ground improvements.

And the dream scenario? For crowd numbers to go back up to around 750–800+ crowds, to see more goals in order to stay in the league, and build long-term sustainability.

An update from the Board of Directors (December)

A Statement from the Club’s Board of Directors: “Cables fans, we’re being honest with you: the step up to the Pitching In Northern Premier League has been our biggest challenge to date.

“To keep this club sustainable and competitive, we’ve had to make some incredibly tough calls regarding our finances. Unfortunately we will need to reduce the size of the playing squad.

“Our management team has already stepped up, taking pay cuts to protect the club’s future.

“Now, we need you to improve our attendances. Without you in the ground we cannot sustain our current financial outgoings.

“Times are tough for everyone, and we know the price of football is rising. But every person through the turnstile makes a difference. Let’s fill the ground, get behind the lads, and show the league what Prescot is made of.

“We know that after the Christmas period, every penny counts. To thank our fans for their loyalty during a difficult time for the club.”

We are back in action on Saturday when we host @WhitbyTownFC and we still need you!

Two children attend FREE with every paying adult.

Cash or Card payment accepted.

Let’s pack the ground for our first game in over 4 weeks! @NorthernPremLge pic.twitter.com/Gy8eKTozb1

— Prescot Cables FC (@PrescotCablesFC) January 12, 2026

Here’s how fans reacted as the 7th tier club chairman opens up on financial troubles, future plans and makes a plea to fans…

@AnitaGoodwin19: Cash/no card payments lining management pockets behind the books, silly player wages , greedy admission and hospitality prices be down a few leagues in no time driving the casual fan away

@PrescotCablesFC: Card Payment has been reinstated following supporter feedback.

@Nevs_EFC: It’s gone from £8 admission to £14 admission and £3.50 a pint to £6 a pint in the last 3 years. That’s why attendances are down.

@NonLgAnalysis1: Lower the ticket prices n get people inside the stadium, 90% of fans will spend money inside the ground buying pints/pies etc. £14 is crazy

@WhiteRoseScouse: Pricing / edging out the yoof has not been the best move. Good to see effort being made to encourage their return.

@Saints_Mariner: Good luck Prescot. Money in non league is mad at the moment.

@dixiedeano7: @PrescotCablesFC any plans for a pitch inspection today due to the icy conditions?

@MannionJ: I used to bring my little lad but it’s gone from £10 entrance to £20 in 2 seasons it’s not justifiable plus £6.50 for a pint in a flimsy plastic cup is scandalous.

@Saintbarca: Non-league finances are a struggle for most of us. IMO, player wages at clubs watched by <200 are pretty much unaffordable by definition and should not be the norm. Especially if the club is a tenant reliant on gate receipts and donations only.

@Nick18T: Not easy running a NPL club @KarlKavanagh69: Happening again, this happened last season the manager left they found a bag of cash & the manager came back

@yellows4life: really hope they get get the attendances up again, proper non league club, shame to see, hopefully they can take on the feedback from fans, hear them out, act upon it, but fans also need to take into account what they’re being told too, nice to see a club chairman being open and honest these days, rare to come by, some fingers crossed this is the start of better things to come

Ryan Rossiter: The attendances were higher last season when we could also pay by card as well as cash at the turnstiles. Some fans may prefer this method to avoid drawing cash out and possibly going into overdraft so may prefer to use their credit cards.

David Davies: I sincerely hope Cables can find a way through these troubles. It can happen to literally any club at any level of football, but especially down the pyramid from the EFL, where promotion has an immediate impact on costs. Even clubs with relatively big attendances aren’t immune, and those with cash backers are potentially even more vulnerable than those who have to operate on week by week cashflow. My personal commitment is always to Runcorn Linnets, but I would gladly do anything I could to show solidarity to a club with the history and pedigree of Prescot Cables. I am very aware of how supportive Cables were in the rebirth of Linnets, after Runcorn FC folded nearly 20 years ago ✊🏼💛🖤

Ryan Carr: If 10% of the followers on the clubs page attend the game, that is a baseline 650ish through the gate, without adding in any attendance from away fans. Never nice seeing players leave, but credit to the club for being upfront and honest about the situation.

Tony Pentin: Putting the entry up from £12 to £14 in the current economic climate, particularly with inflation over the last few years, was always going to be detrimental. A lot of fans including myself said it would be a mistake and gates have gone from around 650 to 700 and plummeted to about 400 to 450. It was a bad mistake and there are other clubs at our level still charging £12 as well. The drop in attendance so quickly is worrying and a result of that decision. Reversing the entry back to £12 would be a wise move to help the situation, the gates would soon improve as a result.