Football finance expert, Kieran Maguire, has predicted bleak times ahead for SPFL clubs amid the ongoing global health pandemic, as quoted by the Glasgow Times.
It’s been less than a week since a joint SPFL and SFA statement announced the immediate suspension of all professional and grassroots football in Scotland ‘until further notice.’
Yet, it’s clear that some are already starting to feel the pinch, with no tangible end in sight.
Clubs will have to pay staff without receiving any ticket money for the foreseeable future, a scenario that Maguire suggests could prove fatal for some.
“Match day sales account for around half of the money taken in by Scottish clubs,” he said, as quoted by the Glasgow Times. “They are reliant on supporters coming through the turnstiles to pay the bills.”
“The longer it drags on and the longer there are no matches this season, the more potential damage it can do to individual clubs. I can’t see how individual clubs can survive with no money coming in from the second week in March until August.”
He goes on to stress that while Scottish clubs are more sustainably run than many in England, they will still require considerable assistance, perhaps from multiple sources, in order to survive.
“I don’t think the SFA or SPFL have much cash, but if some short-term interest-free loans could come from the industry it would be a fantastic gesture, a show of solidarity within Scottish football and in the best long-term interests of the game as well,” he continued.
“If there is some form of financial support coming from elsewhere within the industry – that could be broadcasters, who could advance some of next season’s TV money, that could be football authorities – then it will help.”
Verdict
It’s abundantly clear that some extremely difficult times are ahead for clubs throughout the SPFL pyramid.
Earlier in the week, the SFA announced the immediate release of funds totalling £1.5m for clubs in order to mitigate the loss of gate receipts [Scottishfa.co.uk].
Yet, while that will no doubt provide a boost for some, many will need more than a quick fix, with Hearts already taking drastic measures in an attempt to stay afloat.
CEO Ann Budge announced on Wednesday evening, that all staff at the Edinburgh club had been asked to take a 50% pay cut for an indefinite period [Heartsfc.co.uk], and based on Maguire’s comments, it won’t be long before others follow.
Rangers will certainly not be immune from the pressures faced by smaller clubs, but supporters will be hoping that sufficient foundations have been laid in recent years to ensure players and staff make it through to the eventual resumption of football, relatively unscathed.
