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Fans before Christmas
Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 5:11 pm
by darlobaz791
It’s possible according to the latest news on BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54977370
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 6:11 pm
by Mister e
As much has I would like to see fans return it is quite clearly stated areas with low transmission. So sadly I feel as though it will still be spring or until the vaccine is rolled out before our supporters are welcomed back to games. I also sadly can't see the government sanctioning fans traveling to away games just yet.
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 2:05 pm
by Darlo_Pete
Before Christmas which year?
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 11:49 am
by H1987
I'll believe it when I see it.
I'm still firmly of the opinion that limited crowds should be allowed if they're allowing pubs and restaurants to open... but I do mean quite limited (not profitable for us, I shouldn't think). We should be ok with government funding in place anyway financially, but I hope we can get some limited numbers in for those who desperately want to attend / need the outlet... and honestly, to make it better for those of us watching at home. Football without fans isn't right. Even if those numbers are heavily restricted, i'd sooner 600 were there, as have been allowed in the lower leagues, than 0.
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 2:00 pm
by eddie-rowles
If fans are not allowed in just after Xmas then additional funding is required and look how that has dragged on for EFL teams.
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 5:37 pm
by Darlofan97
Funding package announced today. £11 million for the National League from the Government to be distributed by Sport England as low-interest loans.
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 8:09 pm
by lo36789
Darlofan97 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 5:37 pm
to be distributed by Sport England as low-interest loans.
Hummm. I mean with interest rates these days it could be next to no interest, but regardless the capital repayment will be a liability longer term.
May need to start thinking about ways to minimise reliance on this if repayable.
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 8:18 pm
by Darlofan97
lo36789 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 8:09 pm
Darlofan97 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 5:37 pm
to be distributed by Sport England as low-interest loans.
Hummm. I mean with interest rates these days it could be next to no interest, but regardless the capital repayment will be a liability longer term.
May need to start thinking about ways to minimise reliance on this if repayable.
I'm sure the club will have a plan, however I should imagine these loans will be at a very low interest rate (lower than what you can get from a bank/over-draft facility) and the club may be silly not to take them and improve cash-flow/the club's financial position. There is still a lot of uncertainty over match-day income and the lottery funding beyond the New Year (I suspect this loan scheme may just replace the lottery funding which expires end of December).
It's difficult to say without fully knowing the club's current financial position, but it isn't everyday you get offered a loan on generous repayment terms...
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 8:40 pm
by super_les_mcjannet
Don't think a loan scheme massively helps many of the clubs, it may help cash flow and I don't think we would take any major risks these days. However loaning money for day to day spends isn't the best plan, if clubs need it then they will/should but it seems like this could be just kicking the problem down the road.
We have already taken VAT holidays I believe, ok if we have the money to one side.
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:11 pm
by lo36789
Oh I don't doubt they will be close to if not at base rate. The capital still has to be repaid though which means until that were paid a large amount of annual budget will be repayment of COVID debt.
I am not sure the club will have a plan right now. It's only come out today and until this point the money has been in the form of grants.
I suspect one will be worked through but I wouldn't be surprised if there won't be a call to arms to support.
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 9:54 am
by H1987
It could be that we have to increase the cost of streaming if things drag on. I’m sure we would all understand.
I think we will be ok, but I’d just be stunned to see fans particularly soon. (I think it’s crap if you’re going to open bars and restaurants, which they will, but we are governed by idiots)
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 11:59 am
by Ghost_Of_1883
No team should have to borrow money to replace lost gate income.
We've been done over, we only started the season because clubs were assured that their costs would be covered whilst they were playing behind closed doors. We could end up racking up an ever larger debt for 6 months.
OK grants cover lost income until the end of December, but clubs have truly been left dangling if they're expected to effectively play with no gate income from January if they're still forced to play behind closed doors. Yes we have the streaming income which covers a percentage of what we'd take on a match day, but that isn't the point.
Clubs should refuse to play in January, if no fans are allowed in.
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:15 pm
by LoidLucan
I think they're expecting the vaccine roll-out to be gathering pace in January and making a difference over some of the restrictions.
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:32 pm
by lo36789
Ghost_Of_1883 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 11:59 am
Clubs should refuse to play in January, if no fans are allowed in.
Doesn't help. This was the whole point once the season starts contract obligations for the season start.
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:38 pm
by Vodka_Vic
Ghost_Of_1883 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 11:59 am
No team should have to borrow money to replace lost gate income.
We've been done over, we only started the season because clubs were assured that their costs would be covered whilst they were playing behind closed doors. We could end up racking up an ever larger debt for 6 months.
OK grants cover lost income until the end of December, but clubs have truly been left dangling if they're expected to effectively play with no gate income from January if they're still forced to play behind closed doors. Yes we have the streaming income which covers a percentage of what we'd take on a match day, but that isn't the point.
Clubs should refuse to play in January, if no fans are allowed in.
From what DJ said during a recent forum, I'm sure they will refuse.
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 1:51 pm
by jjljks
Does this reopen the possibility of playing at the Arena again? To get everyone who wants to watch in person and still comply to social distancing then it makes sense. Having said that, more chance of HMG adding in new tiers which will prevent people in certain areas attending any function by having localised lockdowns.
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 2:56 pm
by JasonDeVos
Zero chance of fans before Christmas- just government looking for headlines.
Re: Fans before Christmas
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 3:00 pm
by Ghost_Of_1883
jjljks wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 1:51 pm
Does this reopen the possibility of playing at the Arena again? To get everyone who wants to watch in person and still comply to social distancing then it makes sense. Having said that, more chance of HMG adding in new tiers which will prevent people in certain areas attending any function by having localised lockdowns.
Reopen the possibility? The only reason that we aren't at the Arena is because no fans are allowed in currently.
As soon as they are allowed back it will no doubt be under restrictions, so the Arena is the only option if BM has a capacity of 500 or so.