The EFL has followed the Premier League by suspending all professional football until the beginning of April at the latest. This decision is sensible in my opinion given the rapid spread of COVID-19 but it has clear & obvious serious ramifications for clubs in League's One & Two, some of whom are already teetering on the brink of financial ruin.
How should the 2019/20 season be concluded?
How can struggling EFL Clubs survive without matchday income & what can be done to help them?
On the first point of how do we conclude the season, experts believe that the peak of coronavirus cases will come in May/June so why not complete the season in July/August & have a November/July 2020/21 season? If anything we'd get some better weather & more enjoyable matchday experiences. We can't halt the season now & promote/relegate the clubs already in the relevant places, that wouldn't be fair.
On the second point of how do struggling clubs survive pressure HAS to be brought on the Premier League & associated broadcasters who have injected billions into the upper echelons of English football to show some solidarity & compassion to their fellow professional clubs. This pressure I speak of is essential as the EPL owners & broadcast bosses will definitely not act of their own volition.
I only hope with all my heart as a passionate lower league football fan that Friday 13th March 2020 isn't the day the much loved English football pyramid started to die. Be ready to mobilise, lobby & keep the pressure on because we'll have a hell of a job getting the "elite" clubs , mainstream media & broadcasters to play ball.
Brad - here's the OP of a thread 'Coronavirus' that I started on 24 Feb 20 which for some strange reason has been moved to OT. If the EFL and Premier League had acted earlier, they could have made an advanced ruling along the lines of 'Should the football season be ended prematurely due to the impending Coronavirus, promotions and relegations will be decided by the league standings at the time the season finishes early' - or something along those lines. We're now in a situation where it's going to take a mammoth effort, massive diary adjustments and no doubt legal battles and fees to resolve the season. I know these are unprecedented times, but some of us suspected it was coming - what happened to all those highly paid executives who head up football?!
Posted 24 Feb 20 Serious question for the EFL - what contingency plans do they have in place in the event of Coronavirus developing into a pandemic? With Italy restricting movement and public gatherings, it's probably only a matter of time before similar measures are introduced in UK. In which case, what will happen with the football season? Will it be declared null and void - restarting after the virus has cleared - neither Liverpool nor Rotherham would be happy. Would the season be declared finished at an early stage - might help us. Will games be played behind closed doors? So many questions to be addressed but with the EFL's record, I doubt they've even registered a potential problem.
Whatever happens, there's real potential that our great season may well have the gloss taken off it!
Cheltenham Festival still gone ahead. Up to 60,000 punters have attended that event daily. No talk of postponing the game against Southend at Millers HQ. Virus expected to peak in 10 to 14 weeks time according to official Government sources. That spells disaster for many around the World. I'm still wondering why the Coronavirus discussion started by Glenn Miller was moved to the OT Discussion side of this site when most everyone is talking about the virus? Eventually the virus will touch all our lives whether directly or indirectly.
I think sport is the last thing to worry about at this time, people are dying and the risk are increasing. We need to remember there is NO treatment available and no possible vaccine for at least 12 to 18 months, unless they use one without needing clinical trials, that requires legal changes. This is a fight between an individual, their immune system and the covid-19 virus good look to you all. All governmental action all over the world is purely to slow down the spread, the NHS advice is clear, unless you are in critical condition don't bother to come to us. This has nothing to do with political parties it is to do with nature v humans, panic will happen because people will become scared, fuelled by irresponsible news media that spread gossip and lies. The world economy will be devastated and could take 10 to 20 years to recover. To be honest I will be happy if we get to see the millers play again this year in whatever league. On that cheery note , I suggest you eat fruit and veg, exercise and pray
Johnston and his cohorts will be pi**ing themselves now they will be able to hide so much behind Covid19 .
We are so far behind everyone else it's disgraceful.
How will the government get things through unseen? Do you actually understand how a parliamentary democracy works?
Don't the proposed bills have to be sent to the Upper Chamber, House of Lords for approval? Oh hang on a minute. Isn't the Upper Chamber full of elderly men and women over the age of seventy years of age? The Lords and Ladies will go into hibernation or self isolation. Parliament may have to be prorogued for an indefinite period. A war cabinet will be formed. Military and Police personnel will be called upon to assist the government when a lock down is declared.
I emailed Downing Street earlier today with my contribution. Not had a response yet.
How will the government get things through unseen? Do you actually understand how a parliamentary democracy works?
Don't the proposed bills have to be sent to the Upper Chamber, House of Lords for approval? Oh hang on a minute. Isn't the Upper Chamber full of elderly men and women over the age of seventy years of age? The Lords and Ladies will go into hibernation or self isolation. Parliament may have to be prorogued for an indefinite period. A war cabinet will be formed. Military and Police personnel will be called upon to assist the government when a lock down is declared.
I emailed Downing Street earlier today with my contribution. Not had a response yet.
What was the question again?
That's because it was only a contribution, and not a donation Wotsisname…….
How will the government get things through unseen? Do you actually understand how a parliamentary democracy works?
Don't the proposed bills have to be sent to the Upper Chamber, House of Lords for approval? Oh hang on a minute. Isn't the Upper Chamber full of elderly men and women over the age of seventy years of age? The Lords and Ladies will go into hibernation or self isolation. Parliament may have to be prorogued for an indefinite period. A war cabinet will be formed. Military and Police personnel will be called upon to assist the government when a lock down is declared.
I emailed Downing Street earlier today with my contribution. Not had a response yet.
What was the question again?
The unelected Lords have been self isolating for centuries, getting £300 per day just to sign in; they don't have to do anything other than that. Nice. That represents just over £40,000pa (tax free I believe) just for walking through the door. Many do just that, sign in then walk out again.
How will the government get things through unseen? Do you actually understand how a parliamentary democracy works?
Don't the proposed bills have to be sent to the Upper Chamber, House of Lords for approval? Oh hang on a minute. Isn't the Upper Chamber full of elderly men and women over the age of seventy years of age? The Lords and Ladies will go into hibernation or self isolation. Parliament may have to be prorogued for an indefinite period. A war cabinet will be formed. Military and Police personnel will be called upon to assist the government when a lock down is declared.
I emailed Downing Street earlier today with my contribution. Not had a response yet.
Boris Johnson declares 'we will act like wartime Government and beat this enemy'.
Boris has obviously been reading his emails. Way to go, Boris! Way to go!
How will the government get things through unseen? Do you actually understand how a parliamentary democracy works?
Don't the proposed bills have to be sent to the Upper Chamber, House of Lords for approval? Oh hang on a minute. Isn't the Upper Chamber full of elderly men and women over the age of seventy years of age? The Lords and Ladies will go into hibernation or self isolation. Parliament may have to be prorogued for an indefinite period. A war cabinet will be formed. Military and Police personnel will be called upon to assist the government when a lock down is declared.
I emailed Downing Street earlier today with my contribution. Not had a response yet.
What was the question again?
The unelected Lords have been self isolating for centuries, getting £300 per day just to sign in; they don't have to do anything other than that. Nice. That represents just over £40,000pa (tax free I believe) just for walking through the door. Many do just that, sign in then walk out again.
Boris Johnson declares 'we will act like wartime Government and beat this enemy'.
Boris has obviously been reading his emails. As for my Lords and Ladies. I'm not one tad envious of their situation. Good luck to 'em.
its called the emergency powers act where normal parlimentary procdeure is suspended and a unity government runs the country with all parties involved.
dont think boris will share power and i do t think corbyn would have done either
what a choice we was given
To be honest I think the government's financial measures announced yesterday were very good and the focus has to be on using tax payers money to keep the economy operating. Whatever any government does will be criticised by their opponents and cheered by their supporters. I am very glad Corbyn is not in power the man is so incompetent he would just be out protesting instead of leading.
