The chairman of National League club Sutton United has told talkSPORT he hopes more people will come to their games to ‘get their football fix’.
The Premier League and EFL have postponed all football activity in the top four tiers of the England games over the coronavirus outbreak.
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What will the fans do with no matches? Support your local non-league club!
However, for the time being, the National League has made a huge call for games to go ahead as planned this weekend – although six matches have been scrapped.
Sutton WILL host Hartlepool United at Gander Green Lane, south London, on Saturday afternoon – a 3pm kick-off – and there’s a chance they might get a bigger crowd than usual.
Nearby Chelsea, Fulham and Crystal Palace supporters will all be twiddling their thumbs with their matches postposed for the next three weeks, and many could seek to support their local lower-league sides.
And Sutton chief Bruce Elliot says the extra support would be welcome, as any negative affects of the coronavirus outbreak would have a ‘huge impact’ on the future of the club and other sides further down in the pyramid.
If more fans do turn up, he insists the club are working hard to create a safe, clean and healthy environment for visitors.
Asked if he is surprised the game is going ahead, Elliot told talkSPORT on Saturday morning: “That’s a good question.
“I think it was 50-50 yesterday when we heard the announcement from the Premier League and the EFL.
“If I’m being totally honest I felt the National League would probably follow suit.
“It’s an extraordinary set of circumstances. They have obviously taken advice from the government, and we have to take out advice from the league and the FA.
“So yes, I think I probably as a bit surprised, but we’re making every effort to ensure people are looked after.
“If they decide to come, I don’t know, I think some people might decide not to come because of it, but then there may be a few extra coming because they like their football fix!
“It’s a unique situation and we as a club just need to act as responsibly as we possibly can and take all precautions and make sure as far as we can that everybody who comes is looked after and is safe.”
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Games in the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two have been postponed, but the National League is going ahead
While National League matches will go ahead this weekend, there is currently no guarantees they will continue throughout the coronavirus scare.
And asked what impact it would that have on non-league clubs if the season is stopped, the Sutton chief added: “It would have a huge impact.
“We try and generate as much income as we can from all different sources, including hiring out our 3G pitch, and if there was nobody visiting the club not only for football reasons but also the social faculties, I think it would be a major problem.
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“It’s not just us, there will be an awful lot of clubs in the EFL, National League and leagues below us where it will be a massive impact.
“We’re scheduled to have four home games in March and if today is the last game we play it will have a massive impact on finances. It isn’t just gate money, it’s the other spend in bars etc.
“But having said that it’s important we play our part in ensuring this virus is contained as soon as possible and then everybody can move on and perhaps get back to a bit of normality.”
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