Since the 2019 / 2020 EFL season was so rudely interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a lot of media-driven noise relating to the dire financial recriminations the season stoppage will have for several EFL clubs.
Here at Vital Luton Town, we are only too aware of how, in the past, our club has suffered dramatically from financial mismanagement.
However, we readily accept and welcome the fact that the current hierarchy are running the club properly and, more importantly, have the future of the club at heart.
I doubt there is anyone out there who would want to see any of the EFL clubs go bust and disappear into the history books.
But, the announcement of the axing of Graeme Jones and the majority of his backroom staff last Friday, has set alarm bells ringing.
While many Luton supporters will be relieved that Graeme Jones has gone, with his style of football not being the most welcome aspect of his short reign, there are several who realise that the very survival of the club is of paramount importance now.
Indeed, it is a point driven home by many who have taken the time out to post in our comment facility with those reproduced below typically illustrating the point:
“I think we all agree. We have no idea what’s happening and the point is we must trust the board to bring us through this and survival is upmost. Not relegation or whatever league we end up in.”
and
“I am thinking that the boards logic is that saving the club is the number one priority. Their investment must be protected and the new stadium built. Jones wages and the others will be a huge burden at this time.”
Now, I’m not in a position to be able to reveal just how cash-strapped the club is at the moment and how badly they, like other clubs, are suffering from the lack of income coming through the turnstiles and other revenue streams associated with match days.
But our club is, as we all realise, at a crossroads very few others are approaching.
The desire to leave Kenilworth Road and move to a brand-new stadium at Power Court is seen as an ambition that will shape our long-term future, a future funded by the building of the Newlands development and a future that should see the club flourish.
But funding is the key word!
Amidst the ongoing crisis, we can only speculate as to whether the financial aspects will impact upon our future in the brave new world of Power Court.
Will the club be able to press on with the development in the proposed timescale or will it be delayed, or, heaven forbid, pushed to one side as survival becomes the main priority?
It is something only the select few will know, but like it was said in the comments I chose to re-publish, in the grand scheme of things survival is the most important matter at the moment and if we have to remain at Kenilworth Road for the next decade or so, then so be it!
Previous article by Mad Hatter
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Hi mh, as you rightly pointed out survival is paramount. So I don’t care about relegation anymore. As to a new stadium at this time I’m sure even the owners won’t know what their finances are going to be. Many have other businesses an they will be impacted as well. So will a new stadium be built I don’t think so it could be a another decade before we move. I’m sure we all hope not but until this is over an things settle again. All we can say is keep our club alive
Another decade will probably see me pushing up daisies 🙁
I’m getting on now with the Hatter’s performances over many years, giving me and fellow supporters immense pleasure in watching them on the pitch home and away.
As it’s unlikely for me to be honoured by sitting in the new stadium anytime soon, due to present dire financial constraints of the club resulting from covid-19.
Could there not be some other means that financial support can be given, other than season ticket purchase?
Comments please.
Obviously no one knows how footballs future will be shaped & indeed when it could be possible for it to resume. But I do wonder with all the talk of a new normal that this could also apply to this great sport. Let’s face it without wanting to sound like a doom & gloom merchant, if this virus hangs around for a long time & distancing measures are not relaxed until at least a vaccine is found, then I think football as we know it could take years to get back to resembling anything like the format we were so used to seeing before C19 arrived. If the economy goes into a deep & long recession a lot of people won’t be able to afford going to matches so could it be possible things may revert back to the old days where players become semi professional part timers at least for the foreseeable future? Also think it is hugely disappointing that rich Premier league clubs & players are not offering to help out clubs like ours in lower leagues. But if what I was saying about teams becoming part time does transpire, then I think its highly possible a lot of the top tier teams could suffer the same fate anyway unless they have a rich sheikh to keep them afloat possibly? Finally I’m certain initially games would be played behind closed doors albeit with government permission & presumably in part answer to Marty Gs question generate income from perhaps pay to view? What do you reckon MH & others?
Ps, I agree totally with Chris the main objective must be survival no matter what league that may be