EFL Meeting 1pm today (2 Viewers)

covboy1987

Well-Known Member
I was under the impression that EFL that control league one were happy to follow the premier league in playing the season out within reason - However a small minority of clubs that is growing are starting to question the validly of that decision - A meeting (video) is scheduled today 1pm and one of the topics is discussing whether the 2019-2020 season should end immediately
 

Skybluefaz

Well-Known Member
I was under the impression that EFL that control league one were happy to follow the premier league in playing the season out within reason - However a small minority of clubs that is growing are starting to question the validly of that decision - A meeting (video) is scheduled today 1pm and one of the topics is discussing whether the 2019-2020 season should end immediately
I predict that they'll say they want to play all games when it's safe to do so. With no specifics answered so we'll be no further along
 

better days

Well-Known Member

League One and Two clubs to consider ending season early


Martyn Ziegler, Chief Sports Reporter
Monday April 20 2020, 5.00pm, The Times
Football
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Accrington, whose average attendance this season is the lowest in League One, do not want the season to be completed behind closed doors
TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER JACK HILL
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There is no perfect solution to the coronavirus-induced disarray in which the 71 Football League clubs find themselves but a number of chairmen are coming around to the idea that the least-worst option is to call an end to the season now for Sky Bet League One and Two but to play the Championship to its conclusion.

Insiders say it would be possible for the divisions to have different outcomes to their seasons, if that was agreed by the clubs, but there is a strong belief among the leadership that the Championship at least needs to mirror the Premier League and aim to finish the season.

A meeting of League Two clubs with the EFL leaders will take place tomorrow with a similar event planned for those in League One towards the end of the week, where discussions are expected to include drawing a line under the season to avoid the financial costs to the smaller clubs of playing behind closed doors.

One suggestion is that the tables for League One and Two be decided on points per game, with a play-off tournament for those in third to sixth position (or fourth to seventh in League Two) to settle the final promotion place.

Such a solution — a similar one has already been agreed in Scotland for leagues below the Scottish Premier League — would suit those clubs for whom there is precious little to be gained in playing out the rest of the season in an empty stadium, but lots to be lost in terms of money.

Andy Holt, the chairman of Accrington Stanley, whose average attendance of 2,862 is the lowest in League One, said: “If it is going to be behind closed doors then Sky will just want to show the Championship, so I would be in favour of League One and League Two having a different outcome and ending the season now.

“You can have some sort of play-off to decide those teams who deserve promotion but it means you do not have to have hundreds of matches in empty grounds in a short space of time.”

Many lower-league clubs are using the government’s furlough scheme to pay both players and non-playing staff’s wages. However, as soon as the players return to training the clubs will have to resume paying their wages and if there are no fans coming through the gate then there will be money going out but little coming in.

Holt reckons that would cost his club £500,000, a seventh of the total annual revenue, as income from fans watching live streams would be negligible, but accepts clubs will have different opinions depending on what ending the season now would mean for them.

For example, Dale Vince, the owner of Forest Green Rovers in League Two, said he was keen to finish the season even though the club have only an outside chance of reaching the play-offs.

“Playing behind closed doors won’t affect club finances adversely in my opinion,” he said. “We’re talking about five weeks of paying staff and players and there’s no stewarding cost required either. And there’s an opportunity to try live-streaming games, and to see how fans take to that.

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Nicola Palios, who with husband Mark, left, owns Tranmere Rovers, said she would like the season to be played to a finish
MARTIN RICKETT/PA
“I think that’s important because we might not get to start next season with public games — we may well have to adapt to [playing] behind closed doors for a longer term, rather than finishing this season.”

Nicola Palios, the Tranmere Rovers vice-chairman, pointed out that her club are third from bottom of League One and would like the chance to restart the season and fight against relegation.

But she also hit the nail on the head in terms of the final outcome, saying: “It is very difficult to see a way out of this that won’t upset some people.”



https://www.thetimes.co.uk/topic/football
 

clint van damme

Well-Known Member
Uefa meeting today too

Bopwfilly we start to get some concrete dates for a return soon

I'm not really sure how that's possible in such a fluid situation.
You would think that if the current downward trend of deaths and cases continues though that that may be something they can decide on in a few weeks but I think we've got a way to go yet.
 

covcity4life

Well-Known Member
I'm not really sure how that's possible in such a fluid situation.
You would think that if the current downward trend of deaths and cases continues though that that may be something they can decide on in a few weeks but I think we've got a way to go yet.
Intention to commenc training early may or something would be nice
 

Nick

Administrator
Andy Holt from Accrington has been shouting about ending and voiding for weeks now.
 

clint van damme

Well-Known Member
Intention to commenc training early may or something would be nice

I thought players had been given a return date? I may be wrong.
The government has missed all sorts of targets regarding PPE delivery dates and testing targets so I'd rather they didn't start giving dates for lifting restrictions and restarting sports events until they're absolutely sure those dates will be met so while I find it frustrating not knowing what's going on I'd rather wait and know the information given is sound rather than be given false hope.
 

SkyBlueCRJ

Well-Known Member
IF the season is to go ahead behind closed doors realistically the players and non-playing staff will have to be treated almost in the same manner as a vulnerable person - meaning no going outside for even a walk in public, visiting grocery stores. As such, a huge amount of trust is going to have to be placed on the players and the non-playing staff to ensure that they don't come into contact with anyone unnecessarily (other than each other) and to quarantine themselves in many ways under harsher restrictions that they are already under - the same also applies for their families/partners. Equally, given that they're likely to be playing multiple games in a week, they'll have to be tested once a week.

As difficult as it would be, it would almost be easier during the playing period if they were all brought together during this period in a hotel under one roof - like an away day when they stay in a hotel. That way at least they can be monitored and have their safety protected. Realistically that won't happen though.
 

Legia Sky Blue

Well-Known Member
He seems to be pointing towards ppg though now? I think he might be underestimating the money they could make through streams though.

Not for a club like Accrington he isn't. He knows that their take up will be relatively small given their small support base, and that they are a team that doesn't have much to play for. Its pure self interest on his part to end the season now. If his team was in a relegation place it is guaranteed he would be singing a different tune.

Streaming games for a club like ourselves however, with a much bigger support base and more to play for is a different matter. It could potentially make our club money, rather than be a financial drain, so while we obviously want to go up and a PPG solution wouldn't harm us in terms of getting promoted, I don't think our club would be averse to playing BCD as long as streaming games is open within UK as well as overseas and that revenue can therefore be maximised.
 

Nick

Administrator
He seems to be pointing towards ppg though now? I think he might be underestimating the money they could make through streams though.

His argument was that Accrington don't have as many fans as let's say Coventry or Pompey. So if the pays to put the stream on he will only get a few hundred people pay to watch whereas us and other teams would make more because of more fans.
 

Nick

Administrator
Not for a club like Accrington he isn't. He knows that their take up will be relatively small given their small support base, and that they are a team that doesn't have much to play for. Its pure self interest on his part to end the season now. If his team was in a relegation place it is guaranteed he would be singing a different tune.

Streaming games for a club like ourselves however, with a much bigger support base and more to play for is a different matter. It could potentially make our club money, rather than be a financial drain, so while we obviously want to go up and a PPG solution wouldn't harm us in terms of getting promoted, I don't think our club would be averse to playing BCD as long as streaming games is open within UK as well as overseas and that revenue can therefore be maximised.

Yep, he really has nothing to play for so isn't arsed. The Peterborough Chairman on the other hand is completely against ending the season as they could get promoted.
 

Legia Sky Blue

Well-Known Member
On a side note it would be interesting to know what the ifollow viewing figures are for each EFL team as we are right now. If we had to play BCD I think our club's database of fans, which I think is very large, should come into play by sending out mailshots concerning the availability of ifollow for remaining games. I think much of our support base, particularly those of a more casual basis, know nothing about it and potential income for us is much greater than for our League 1 rivals.
 

Skybluefaz

Well-Known Member
Not for a club like Accrington he isn't. He knows that their take up will be relatively small given their small support base, and that they are a team that doesn't have much to play for. Its pure self interest on his part to end the season now. If his team was in a relegation place it is guaranteed he would be singing a different tune.

Streaming games for a club like ourselves however, with a much bigger support base and more to play for is a different matter. It could potentially make our club money, rather than be a financial drain, so while we obviously want to go up and a PPG solution wouldn't harm us in terms of getting promoted, I don't think our club would be averse to playing BCD as long as streaming games is open within UK as well as overseas and that revenue can therefore be maximised.
You are probably right, if a city game was available bcd I'd be all over it, it's probably shrouding my judgement
 

Nick

Administrator
You are probably right, if a city game was available bcd I'd be all over it, it's probably shrouding my judgement

He has moaned during the season that Accrington foot the bill for setting up the streaming etc but away teams make loads off it when they sell it to their fans.
 

jordan210

Well-Known Member
He has moaned during the season that Accrington foot the bill for setting up the streaming etc but away teams make loads off it when they sell it to their fans.

Don't the EFL take a stupid amount like 70%+ so hardly the away team making money....
 

chiefdave

Well-Known Member
He seems to be pointing towards ppg though now? I think he might be underestimating the money they could make through streams though.
He's against streaming as well and blocks their games being streamed whenever he can.
His argument was that Accrington don't have as many fans as let's say Coventry or Pompey. So if the pays to put the stream on he will only get a few hundred people pay to watch whereas us and other teams would make more because of more fans.
Could make the same argument about attendances. Should we stop having football completely because Accrington get low crowds?
 

Grendel

Well-Known Member
He's against streaming as well and blocks their games being streamed whenever he can.

Could make the same argument about attendances. Should we stop having football completely because Accrington get low crowds?

To be fair a lot of clubs want it stopped now
 

Grendel

Well-Known Member
Interesting not seen anything about that. Which other clubs want ifollow stopped? Seems an odd decision to be pushing to end a revenue stream.

No they want the season stopped
 

SkyBlueCRJ

Well-Known Member
To be fair a lot of clubs want it stopped now

Of course they do. For those that have furloughed their staff and players it means putting them back on full pay and having to add to their already significant losses. In the current situation iFollow only suits clubs such as ours and even then, clubs are still going to make a pretty hefty loss due to the downfalls in F&B, parking, ticket sales etc.

It's becoming harder to predict what will happen but it realistically I wouldn't be at all surprised if League One/Two finished the season now and the Prem/Champ continued.
 

Brighton Sky Blue

Well-Known Member
Of course they do. For those that have furloughed their staff and players it means putting them back on full pay and having to add to their already significant losses. In the current situation iFollow only suits clubs such as ours and even then, clubs are still going to make a pretty hefty loss due to the downfalls in F&B, parking, ticket sales etc.

It's becoming harder to predict what will happen but it realistically I wouldn't be at all surprised if League One/Two finished the season now and the Prem/Champ continued.

If it’s about money then a restructuring of the TV and solidarity payments is in order so money owed in a few years time is paid now. Or here’s a crazy thought perhaps the stupidly rich top flight sides could chip in a few million
 

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