Football needs fans

FA chairman Greg Clarke had suggested next season may have to be played without supporters when it is able to kick off, due to the need to observe social distancing rules. That may be manageable for Premier League clubs who can still rely on TV money and merchandise to fill the coffers. However, things would be different in non-league. “It wont happen for long,” said Shaw, reactinig to the suggestion. “The club makes a little bit of money through gate receipots, but that probably just covers the costs like ref fees and makes a small amount across the season. £But there are five or aix games - the derbies with Boston Town and Deeping- and the likes of (well supported) Rugby Town where you get bigger crowds. “They fund the bar and food and that makes a huge difference. “The other factor is that we have a successful junior football set-up and that gets a lot of people through the gate, buying hot drinks and food. “If that was behind closed doors then it wouldn’t be viable.” There have been some suggestions that next season could see cup competitions axed if the campaign is late to kick off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this si aomething Shaw would be against. “I’d like to start the season as soon as possible when the situation is safe to do so and we understand how to make the game safe,” he said. “One suggestion to make sure professional football can be played is to bin the cup competitions. “Now, if you’re Everton, West Ham or Newcastle then the lustre of the FA Cup may not be there anymore and financially it isn’t as beneficial. “But for step five clubs it can make a big difference. “One local example is Boston United. They made a killing out of the FA Cup and that’s had huge benefits for them, helped them to bring in players. It invigorated the town. “It’s an important competiotion for clubs and to suggest binning it isn’t fair.”