Barnsley FC CEO Dane Murphy warns of tough times in July amid Covid-19 financial crisis

The absence of match-day income and season ticket renewal cash hit the Oakwell outfit significantly during the Spring, with Murphy keen for clarity regarding when next season will start to enable the club plan their budgets accordingly to get through troubled financial times and provide some guidance to sponsors in particular.

On the financial impact of Covid-19 for the club, Murphy said: "It has been significant. We were stopped in our tracks in March and have had no revenue from home games. Usually that is around the time when we put out season ticket (details for next season) and we have had to put the brakes on that until recently.

"Even sponsorship deals we have in place where we have payments due, our sponsors have said: 'you have not put your game schedule on and we don't know when 2020-21 will happen, we are holding back our final instalments until it is made clear.

"It has severely impacted our financial outlook and forecasting. Through June, we are fine and viable and there are some clubs who cannot say that even in the Championship. In July, things get a little bit closer to the edge.

"But we are making sure those who can contribute to the club through season-ticket sales can do, so that there is no towing the edge of the cliff for the club in the short-term."

Talks with the club's playing squad to agree deferrals have not brought a successful outcome. The negotiations remain ongoing, but Murphy is quick to stress that he lies no blame on the part of the players for failing to agree a positive outcome.

He added: "Publicly, Gerhard accepted the wage deferal that helped us significantly. We had some executives that defered and have not taken payment, which has helped us.

"The ongoing negotiations with players has been very honest, open and professional and I don't lay any blame at our players' feet at all. We have had talks back and forth since the end of March on something that couldn't be done.

"They have received guidance from their agents and the PFA. There are so many elements and different narratives that are coming out, but I do commend our senior leaders and veterans in being forthright and honest in their approach.

"It is unfortunate we have not come to an agreement yet. Yes, it would have helped. But I do not hold the players accountable for any issues that are going on right now."