CEO Brian Caldwell provided an update following the League One meeting that took place earlier this morning.
Board members from all League One clubs gathered again this morning in an attempt to establish an answer of how the end of the 19/20 season will play out.
Brian Caldwell who attended the meeting this morning provided an in-depth insight into what was discussed and where the club stands on playing out the rest of the season.
“It’s actually been a couple of weeks since we’ve had any advice on where we’re at with the current situation," said Brian. "Then in the lead up to the meeting this morning, we were issued with a draft guidance on how clubs could return to training. Which probably would have scared a lot of clubs because the testing regime that was suggested would cost League One clubs between £125,000 and £140,000 to complete the season.
“The EFL is still of the opinion that they want to still play the rest of the season where safe to do so and they want to leave it to the clubs to decide if there’s any curtailment of the season.
“As people have already seen online there was a bit of chat last night about some of the clubs that are in and around the play-off positions who are adamant that they should play.
“However I look at it from our perspective which is what we’re really interested in. To play the remaining ten games from a cost point of view with no crowds, testing, the lack of furlough money, the cost of hosting games and the cost of travelling to games, you’re probably looking at the best part of half a million pounds.
“There is also a potential that Sky might ask for some money back for the games that they were due to broadcast in League One and Two.
“I think morally we have to look at the safety of players and staff. We as a football club have a duty of care to ensure all employees health comes first.
“The guidance that has come out which is 47 pages long and quite concise, it states that players are only to train in groups of five, they must sort their own kit and be screened on arrival, they’re not allowed in the dressing room, they’re not allowed in the restaurant, the gym is to be closed at all times, you’re not allowed physio treatment unless instructed by a doctor and they’re not allowed any contact in training. It’s very limiting what they can actually do.
“Dave Edwards alluded to it the other day how he would have concerns about coming back and as an employer, we have a concern for their welfare too which is very important to us. We’ve got to do the right thing, this is unprecedented circumstances. How does that look if we suddenly come back and take an ambulance and have a doctor present at the match which takes away from the NHS. “
For the full interview click on the video above.