The perilous state of lower league football was laid bare by Football League chairman Rick Parry this week.
He declared there was a real threat of clubs going bust with a £200million black hole expected to exist in the state of EFL clubs finances by September.
This highlights some of the stark and serious problems faced by clubs like Carlisle and is the reason CUOSC believe their fund-raising Carlisle REUnited campaign is vital.
It is well known the club were losing over £500,000 a season. Cost cutting measures have helped but the Blues are still running on a significant operating loss even in a normal season.
While a cash buffer from transfer fees will help for a few months it is hard not to see problems mounting when the new season gets under way.
If, as seems likely, it has to start behind closed doors there will be no match day income, with no hospitality packages and much reduced sponsorship and retail funds.
Furthermore, it was estimated it would have cost £125,000 per club for Covid-19 testing to complete the 2019/20 season. That translates to around £300,000 for a half of next season if things don’t change.
The figures are clearly unsustainable and are why CUOSC are seeking help from everyone who wants to see league football not only survive but thrive in the city.
The Premier League or the government may come to the rescue but CUOSC believes we shouldn’t rely on them or funding from businesses that have been hit hard and will have to prioritise their own problems.
That’s why we need fans to play their part and support us if they can. A host of former players are backing our campaign and some – Derek Asamoah, Dean Walling and Jimmy Glass – have already recorded video appeals.
These recordings and all the details of the campaign can be found on the CUOSC website at www.cuosc.org.uk/Carlisle-reunited/
CUOSC want to re-connect, re-focus and re-energise fans and sponsors. All funds raised will be used to support the club during and when we eventually emerge from the pandemic. To donate go to: www.cuosc.org.uk/Carlisle-reunited/
