EFL suspension - reactions from other clubs
Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:33 am
Here are some reactions from other clubs:
David Artell (Crewe Alex): "We already have a plan if we can't have them the Reaseheath training ground, if it gets that extreme. If we have to shut down for two weeks because a player has a temperature or a fever or whatever, and we all have to self-isolate, we have a plan in place. We already know they are each taking five cones and a ball home with them, they are. I'm not joking. The players will know what they are doing every day, that's just sensible and good planning. If you are self-isolating then your whole family should, but even if they go in the back garden or find a local pitch somewhere, with your football and five cones, they can do what we will be asking them to do. That's if they feel up to it, if they are the one with the high temperature then it's different."
Keith Curle (Northampton Town): “- The players will be sent away for ten days and given personal fitness programmes to follow. They will follow that schedule on a daily basis but we are mindful we don't want them in public places so the work they do will be fitness based. We are shutting down the football department for ten days but within that we need the players to be rested, fit, sharp and ready when they come back. We are still in work mode and we will need to hit the ground running when they come back and football does resume. There are guidelines that if they do feel unwell they know what to do and when to do it."
Port Vale chief executive Colin Garlick: “We think the season will probably be extended but we could have a very intense periods as well. Training sessions, whether that be the first team of the academy, will not be taking place on site here. The players are in effect away from the business, but we trust them. They are professional and we have set up training programmes for them to do themselves to keep themselves sharp. It’s not unusual because we tend to do this sort of thing in the close season. This isn’t a pre-season by any means but the same principles will apply. That has been set in place with the manager and the backroom staff for them to follow next week. We are able to follow reporting procedures with them so, when we do get games back on, they are ready to go. So, this is not a holiday and won’t be treated like that.”
Richie Wellens (Swindon Town): “-We were going to train at Burnley’s training ground today, so we were on our way up, then obviously the news came through. It doesn’t help when the Prime Minister is coming out on the Thursday saying all sporting events will go ahead, then you prepare for the game, put your travel on, then the next day all the games are off. They should give you a little bit of a heads up. We were halfway up at Birmingham. The players will get on with it. I’m no expert in what the situation is, but looking at what other countries have done it’s probably the right call. It gives them a little bit of time to evaluate things and see what’s going to happen and where we’re at if the situation escalates.”
John McGreal (Colchester): “I support postponing the fixtures, so we can get the crowds to the games when it is safe to do so. Football is for the fans; it would not have been fair on them to not be able to watch their team play. We have been vigilant on this with no shaking of hands and keeping our distance at the training ground, but you can’t do that on the pitch.”
Nigel Clibbens (Carlisle CEO): “-The more people have this, the more chance it’s going to visit our door. It’s inevitable that happens over the next few weeks and we’ll have to deal with that. In the short term, we have the cash impact in terms of not having cash coming into our tills. If games eventually are played that should happen, although it might be less in terms of Saturday crowds being less than on Tuesdays. It depends on what happens as a result of the games not taking place. What happens if games don’t ever take place is the great unknown and a big concern to everybody within the EFL. It is a matter lots of clubs have been thinking about. Everybody knows EFL clubs like Carlisle United are reliant on ticket money and funder money. If ticket money drops, there’s a gap to fill, wages still have to be paid, and it’s a major concern. That’s why we have to see where this pans out in the future.”
Michael Flynn (Newport County): “-I think it’s a sensible decision for the health and wellbeing of the players and the fans. It’s not ideal but we’ve got to get on with it, we’ve got to be responsible. There’s the wider picture – you don’t want your kids and other family members catching it.”
Julian Tagg (Exeter City chairman/DOF): "In anticipation of the intended return to games on April 4, our players will continue to train and maintain their fitness, although we will have stringent measures in place to mitigate against the threat of coronavirus wherever possible."
Philip Day (director at Grimsby Town): “We are a financially sound club which, at times like these, is very, very important. There will obviously be implications on cash flow because we won’t have any income in the next three weeks, but we can weather that storm. The EFL board are meeting next week so we’ll wait and listen to what they have to say.”
Cambridge United's statement: "-Like many of our fellow EFL Clubs, we expect this will have significant financial implications for Cambridge United. It is likely we will require a good deal of support and goodwill from our supporters in the coming period.
Darrell Clarke (Walsall): "-We will follow the protocol if or when somebody does pick up the virus, because it looks inevitable to be honest, with the way things are going. No-body can afford it, the Premier League is different with the TV money but we survive on our gates and the money that comes through the fans. Obviously it's very worrying times for that but we can't get ahead of ourselves, we just have to keep focusing on the day-to-day. There's a lot more problems in the world than football matches to be honest with you. We wish that everyone is safe and is looking after themselves."
David Artell (Crewe Alex): "We already have a plan if we can't have them the Reaseheath training ground, if it gets that extreme. If we have to shut down for two weeks because a player has a temperature or a fever or whatever, and we all have to self-isolate, we have a plan in place. We already know they are each taking five cones and a ball home with them, they are. I'm not joking. The players will know what they are doing every day, that's just sensible and good planning. If you are self-isolating then your whole family should, but even if they go in the back garden or find a local pitch somewhere, with your football and five cones, they can do what we will be asking them to do. That's if they feel up to it, if they are the one with the high temperature then it's different."
Keith Curle (Northampton Town): “- The players will be sent away for ten days and given personal fitness programmes to follow. They will follow that schedule on a daily basis but we are mindful we don't want them in public places so the work they do will be fitness based. We are shutting down the football department for ten days but within that we need the players to be rested, fit, sharp and ready when they come back. We are still in work mode and we will need to hit the ground running when they come back and football does resume. There are guidelines that if they do feel unwell they know what to do and when to do it."
Port Vale chief executive Colin Garlick: “We think the season will probably be extended but we could have a very intense periods as well. Training sessions, whether that be the first team of the academy, will not be taking place on site here. The players are in effect away from the business, but we trust them. They are professional and we have set up training programmes for them to do themselves to keep themselves sharp. It’s not unusual because we tend to do this sort of thing in the close season. This isn’t a pre-season by any means but the same principles will apply. That has been set in place with the manager and the backroom staff for them to follow next week. We are able to follow reporting procedures with them so, when we do get games back on, they are ready to go. So, this is not a holiday and won’t be treated like that.”
Richie Wellens (Swindon Town): “-We were going to train at Burnley’s training ground today, so we were on our way up, then obviously the news came through. It doesn’t help when the Prime Minister is coming out on the Thursday saying all sporting events will go ahead, then you prepare for the game, put your travel on, then the next day all the games are off. They should give you a little bit of a heads up. We were halfway up at Birmingham. The players will get on with it. I’m no expert in what the situation is, but looking at what other countries have done it’s probably the right call. It gives them a little bit of time to evaluate things and see what’s going to happen and where we’re at if the situation escalates.”
John McGreal (Colchester): “I support postponing the fixtures, so we can get the crowds to the games when it is safe to do so. Football is for the fans; it would not have been fair on them to not be able to watch their team play. We have been vigilant on this with no shaking of hands and keeping our distance at the training ground, but you can’t do that on the pitch.”
Nigel Clibbens (Carlisle CEO): “-The more people have this, the more chance it’s going to visit our door. It’s inevitable that happens over the next few weeks and we’ll have to deal with that. In the short term, we have the cash impact in terms of not having cash coming into our tills. If games eventually are played that should happen, although it might be less in terms of Saturday crowds being less than on Tuesdays. It depends on what happens as a result of the games not taking place. What happens if games don’t ever take place is the great unknown and a big concern to everybody within the EFL. It is a matter lots of clubs have been thinking about. Everybody knows EFL clubs like Carlisle United are reliant on ticket money and funder money. If ticket money drops, there’s a gap to fill, wages still have to be paid, and it’s a major concern. That’s why we have to see where this pans out in the future.”
Michael Flynn (Newport County): “-I think it’s a sensible decision for the health and wellbeing of the players and the fans. It’s not ideal but we’ve got to get on with it, we’ve got to be responsible. There’s the wider picture – you don’t want your kids and other family members catching it.”
Julian Tagg (Exeter City chairman/DOF): "In anticipation of the intended return to games on April 4, our players will continue to train and maintain their fitness, although we will have stringent measures in place to mitigate against the threat of coronavirus wherever possible."
Philip Day (director at Grimsby Town): “We are a financially sound club which, at times like these, is very, very important. There will obviously be implications on cash flow because we won’t have any income in the next three weeks, but we can weather that storm. The EFL board are meeting next week so we’ll wait and listen to what they have to say.”
Cambridge United's statement: "-Like many of our fellow EFL Clubs, we expect this will have significant financial implications for Cambridge United. It is likely we will require a good deal of support and goodwill from our supporters in the coming period.
Darrell Clarke (Walsall): "-We will follow the protocol if or when somebody does pick up the virus, because it looks inevitable to be honest, with the way things are going. No-body can afford it, the Premier League is different with the TV money but we survive on our gates and the money that comes through the fans. Obviously it's very worrying times for that but we can't get ahead of ourselves, we just have to keep focusing on the day-to-day. There's a lot more problems in the world than football matches to be honest with you. We wish that everyone is safe and is looking after themselves."