SportsEcho Image: SportsEcho
Friday, December 24, 2010, 07:00
BOSTON UNITED chairman David Newton says non-league clubs will be left counting the cost if, as expected, the big freeze wipes out the festive programme.
The Pilgrims could be inactive again on Boxing Day if their Blue Square Bet North clash at Gainsborough Trinity is frozen off.
Christmas fixtures are usually money-spinners for non-league sides, but no games means little income for semi-professional clubs.
Newton believes the Pilgrims are in a better position than most to see out the void in action, but feels almost every club outside the Football League will feel the pinch.
"It's created a cash flow problem. It's nothing that we can't handle at the moment and we're probably in better shape than some other clubs," said the boss of property firm Chestnut Homes (pictured below).
"If it continues into the new year, we'll manage it, but it won't be comfortable.
"By this time of year, you're normally doing okay, it's usually towards the end of the season when you start to struggle.
"That's when you tend to run out of money if you're operating with a budget deficit like we have for the past two years.
"But with games not taking place, that issue will arise a lot earlier.
"It's something we'll cover because we can, but a lot of clubs really will struggle.
"If you lose any games on Boxing Day and New Year's Day, that's a big loss for the home club because you won't get as big a crowd when you replay it later in the year."
Newton revealed it is not just gate money that the club will miss out on.
"In the Pilgrim Lounge (formally the Sports Bar), we've had to dump some beer," added Newton.
"We had it in for Christmas parties and got extra in for the games. It's real ale and you can't keep it.
"It's been the same with some of the food for the sponsors' meals.
"It's simple things like that, but there's nothing we can do about it.
"If it was just us, I would be extremely worried, but as it's affecting everybody, you've just got to take it as it comes."
Joint-manager Paul Hurst doubts the Boxing Day derby will go ahead, but insists it has been business as usual for the Pilgrims squad.
Boston saw last weekend's home clash with Hyde frozen off, too.
"Before the Hyde game we prepared as if the game was going ahead, although in the back of my mind I thought we would be lucky to get it on," said Hurst.
"We'd planned ahead and had booked to train on a 3G pitch (at Sleaford's Carre's Grammar School).
"We went there and the lads trained very well. We worked them hard, but not too hard because we didn't want anyone to pick up any unnecessary injuries.
"It's been the same this week, although it's looking doubtful the game will go ahead.
"Apparently it's meant to be getting above freezing around Christmas Day, but it will surely take more than that for the game to go ahead."
