Fleetwood chairman predicts 10 ‘famous clubs’ will go out of business due to the coronavirus financial hit and fears that local communities will suffer.
Andy Pilley, who has taken the Cod Army through six promotions, has urged the authorities to take action to prevent a number of EFL clubs going bust.
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He said: “My big worry is that we may have double figures of football clubs who go to the wall, famous football clubs who no longer exist, who no longer deliver the quality of life and the pride to their community that they have for 100 years or more.
“The very integrity of the competition we love is at stake here. We don’t want to watch points being expunged, [using the formula of] points per game, seasons being null and void. We want a healthy football league with sustainable clubs for the future.
“[The crisis] may ultimately threaten the very existence of our clubs is sufficient action is not taken. A better understanding of this situation is required so the whole of football can work together to find a way through this incredibly challenging time.”
The EFL and PFA recently proposed that players in League One and Two defer 25 per cent of their wages for April to help their clubs through the pandemic.
This applies to League One and League Two, though Championship clubs expected to make individual plans.
He added: “My football club will be OK. I may have to cost-cut significantly but I will find a way to navigate through these times and we will continue to exist.”
Fans reacted after the Fleetwood Town chairman predicts 10 ‘famous clubs’ will go out of business…
Some interesting points, I would wager the majority of current season ticket holders would renew even if it meant the first half of the season would be watched online?
— Dave somers (@Davysom71) April 14, 2020
Interesting observations on the short term future 100% agree that the season needs to finish so as to avoid compromising the integrity of the competition When and how that occurs is another matter
— Tim Fielding (@fielding_tam) April 14, 2020
Very honest summing up of things as they stand Andy…looking forward to tomorrows solutions edition, which I’m sure will be very difficult for all of us too accept.
— ????? (@neilholden7) April 14, 2020
Really good insight. Granted, people will say there are more important issues at the moment with c1,000 people dying a day. But we must not underestimate just how important football is to people’s well-being. Whether you support FTFC or farsley Celtic football matters to people.
— Glenn Bowley (@PastorBowley) April 14, 2020
A good listen, plenty of sense…a definite problem for many in the not to distant future and a major issue at oafc if Abdallah has recieved a forward payment because i doubt the club or players see it..
No fans for the remainder of 2020 is unimaginable..— Woz Ingham (@Wozz77) April 14, 2020
When its spelt out like this, just wonder how many clubs will be able to survive the rest of year. I for one would like to see the lower leagues go back to north/south split, rather than national. May help with costs, improved gates to increase income?
— antony woodhouse (@highburycod) April 14, 2020
Worrying times Andy
— dave whiteside (@whiteside92) April 14, 2020
Good watch, very insightful ?
— Barry Baggley (@BarryBaggley) April 14, 2020
I thought there was a lot of sense told in that video.
— DJ (@jacko17) April 14, 2020
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