Seems to me to just do the enviable and stop the season now and just have a shit or bust match to decide the 4th relegation spot, and the usual play off s for promotion

KD makes a fair point regards fit out of the conf and banqueting facilities. Debatable whether placing this on hold is the right thing to do however - the conf and events industry is gearing up to get back to holding some sort of 'in-person' (as opposed to virtual) events from spring next year. Depending on cost, it may be wise to consider how the fit out can be redesigned to better cater for post-Covid events, enhanced AV for live streaming of physical events online being one option.

The superior code's already had government support and should be OK, Lurkio :-)

Hadn't realised EFL clubs had stopped testing. I can see League 1, 2 and National League being paused with a government bailout.

I'd predict union to die about 6 months after that minority NW England sport - something about league?

That is if no Club goes under before then.

Triggs, there's still the option to reduce to 23 matches starting in March or so.

RS, you will have a few more links to grounds available for redevelopment soon enough.

Interesting dynamic opening up as well with PL clubs offering to pay for tests for their lower league oppo. Orient accepted it and had their match called off, Hull City reject the same offer from West Ham. Surely testing should be mandatory. As Wags says, feels like the season is doomed to either imminent failure or an early-season pause.

Rugby union in particular looks absolutely fucked without government support. Are the Tories going to let their public school game 'die'?

I don't think we'll see a game all season. Bu can we all have a stadium tour and sit in our seat for 20 minutes?

Morning all. While I do think a) there'll be a bailout of some kind anyway, and b) the vast majority of clubs will survive, the moment one or two collapse in a week will suddenly see the rest getting their money...

football is millions of votes - no government is going to see it crash and burn. Other sports need to worry more - especially those with small fan bases.

Wags, I'm tend to agree. Far too many clubs and players returning positive tests.

I give this season another 10 days.

As for the bridging loan facility, do we know if that's being drawn down yet? I assume we are holding fire on hospitality/conferencing fit-out until we've got a better idea of when we can use it.

I've no doubt the government will support sport. They won't want angry people up and down the country upset over their club 'dying' due to the dodgy dossier from Profs Twitty and Fail-lance.

Will the people who insist on flouting the rules voluntarily agree to be vaccinated?

Just need a temperature gun check before entering any football stadium. Anyone with a temperature of over 38 won’t be allowed entry.

If only we had waited. Could have saved £30 million.

I’m wondering whether the government will consider interest free coronavirus loans for businesses. If we could pay off any bridging loan using an intetest free vehicle then we should be OK. Although I also expect the club to request a deferral of interest payments on PLBs...

Anyone want to buy a football ground? Leasehold sadly. [Link]

Let’s face it, we’re building a massive white elephant. Professional football is finished. Within six short months, most footballers will have died from Covid-19. The only football clubs left standing will be the Dogshit Uniteds of the pub leagues. We should stop building Plough Lane immediately and convert it to a cemetery for the Covid dead.

If clubs had any sense they will have budgeted for no crowds this season, and cut their cloth accordingly. Admittedly difficult if players on longer term contracts that predate COVID. I remain hopeful that we will have a vaccine by this time next year.

Was out yesterday evening so missed the game. Did Nightingale or Csoka look like they should come in for Saturday? What about the Ox (Oksaanen) - any good?