Non league and grassroots report finds 2,600 clubs folded and 8,000 are at risk of closure

A new non league and grassroots report finds 2,600 clubs folded and another 8,000 are at risk of closure over the 2022/23 season.

The challenge facing clubs is striking a balance between remaining financially sustainable while being affordable to fans. Cost of living and the Covid pandemic largely the reasons for the decisions made.

The Price to Play Report asked 1,000 parents of grassroots footballers aged five to sixteen how their football was impacted by the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

It found 7% of clubs have closed, and a further 16% of parents fear their child’s club could be the next to go.

The new report comes after the energy company Utilita’s State of Play Report, published in 2020, which revealed the devastation caused by the pandemic on grassroots football.

As the previous report had warned, 10% of players have not returned to the pitch, with 58% of parents saying affordability got in the way of play.

The number of people who can’t afford kits has almost doubled, from 18% to 34% of families.

Utilita worked with former England goalkeeper David James MBE to do the report, which also found a further third of parents fear they will not be able to afford kit for next season.

James said: “The cost of football kits cannot be allowed to be a barrier to playing football.

“There is enough for everyone – we just need to think twice about throwing away perfectly good items.

“About two-thirds of parents say their child requires more than one pair of football boots for playing on different surfaces, out of which 27 percent said they can’t afford more than one pair of boots, limiting where their child can play – this does not have to be the case.

“Football Rebooted is the game’s biggest ever environmental movement, and there are enough boots for every child who wants to play – no matter what the surface.”

The report also shows annual subs have become a huge hurdle for parents as only six in 10 parents can comfortably afford this.

The others either have to make sacrifices elsewhere or accept support from the team.

The North East is facing the toughest of times with 46% of families struggling to afford subs.

This is closely followed by 43% of families in Yorkshire, along with 42% of households in Northern Ireland, and the South East.

Tooting & Mitcham United are among many facing the cost of living crisis with club secretary Jackie Watkins saying: “We don’t want to pass all the cost increase onto the fans so we are having to absorb some of the cost.

“One of the main issues is the cost of electricity. With the days getting shorter clubs are going to be using their floodlights a lot more.”

Household energy bills have gone up by a record 54% in April and are going to rise substantially again in October.

Non league clubs are having a re-think about their finances, especially with electricity to power the floodlights and the travel costs for players and fans increasing.

Watkins added that kick-off times being brought forward were being discussed as a solution to cut down on electricity.

She said: “It wouldn’t make a difference for Tooting and Mitcham as their main football is between the hours of 5pm and 10pm.

“We have three sets of floodlights and rent out pitches to the local community.

“This is by far our biggest cost, and we are looking to save money on floodlights but still the serve community with what they want.

“We are looking to get help to turn the lighting into LEDS but any funding from the FA or Football Foundation is not going to come quickly enough to take advantage of it this season.”

The impact of soaring costs from the cost of living crisis on clubs at the lower end of the football pyramid is much greater than those at the top end.

Co-owner and head of club development at Walton & Hersham Football Club, Thomas Bradbury said: “Whilst the club weren’t too affected by bills as they rent the ground with the local council, they were aware of the impact on the fans.

“With the club being successful having achieved back-to-back promotions, this has brought about some changes in structure particularly with ticket prices.

“We know how much of a positive impact football has on people’s lives so we have only increased the ticket prices by a pound or two.”

With it being important to continue to generate income, cup competitions is an important source of revenue for clubs in the non league.

Bradbury added: “The FA Cup run has been a particularly important income stream and we have so far come through four qualifying rounds.”

Both Tooting & Mitcham and Walton & Hersham football clubs are just two examples of what clubs in the lower levels of the football pyramid are facing.

Meanwhile, Didcot Town, who play in the Southern League, say their energy bill is expected to go up each month by £4,200 from £1,250 to £5,450.

“We either shut the lights off completely, or we shut the door.”

A sobering insight into the impact of rising energy prices on @didcottownfc & other #NonLeague clubs… @BBCSouthNews @BBCSport #upthediddy @Ollie_Bayliss @NonLeaguePaper #energybills pic.twitter.com/H2446E18iM

— Lewis Coombes (@LewisCoombes) September 27, 2022

The club wrote an open letter to the Southern League asking to have the option to kick off earlier than 3pm.

It reads: “To Whom It May Concern, Didcot Town FC is one of a growing number of Clubs that are becoming increasingly concerned with the impact of the unprecedented energy crisis will have on both the its ability to operate or even be a viable concern within 18 months.

“I’m sure that the Southern League is wholly aware of the situation, and indeed may also have similar concerns for their associated Club. So our question is, quite simply, does the Southern League have any strategy in place to support Clubs that will without doubt find themselves in crisis with this coming season?

“The decision to abandon the League Cup for this season was a wise one to take, but is only part of a wider situation all Clubs find themselves in.

“At present, Didcot Town FC’s energy bill is circa £1,250 pcm, but given the anticipated increase, this would rise to circa £5,450 pcm! PCM!!

“This is categorically unsustainable for a Club of our size, and I anticipate many of the Clubs in our associate Leagues are going to be similarly affected.

“One obvious counter-measure would be to provide the option to kick off earlier, negating the necessity of floodlights, which is widely understood to be the largest contributor to energy usage for all football teams.

“With this one simple action, Didcot Town could reduce its outgoings by 30%, which goes some way to mitigating the inherent energy rise, and at least contribute to making the future Club existence more achievable and sustainable thereafter.

“Please can you urgently consider this option as the first steps in what will be an ongoing battle for sustainability and ultimately the integrity of the Leagues going forwards.”

Helston Athletic, from Cornwall, have also explained just how vital the stunning FA Cup run has been helping them while still facing challenges financially. See more on that HERE.