Lower-league owners call for salary caps and July 31 finish

The League Two clubs met over video conference on Tuesday to discuss whether and/or how the 2019-20 campaign should be completed, while a group of lower-league chairmen held separate talks which led to a letter to League chairman Rick Parry last week. It is understood the Bantams were not involved in those discussions.

The letter written by Mansfield Town's John Radford on behalf of the group has now come to light.

Radford was at pains to point out his colleagues were not making demands, just outlining “some themes which we hope show the desired direction of travel from the clubs.”

Playing contracts typically run until June 30, something being factored into the discussions about when and for how the season can be resumed. At the end of their contracts, players receive a one-month severance payment, and Radford's colleagues argued this should be used to demand out-of-contract players continue to play throughout July without additional payment.

The letter says the clubs see making additional payments to players to complete the season as “a clear red line”, as is the issue of a salary cap.

They suggest a July 31 cut-off 2019-20 matches, saying there is a strong desire not to go beyond this, and a need for certainty. “Whilst the clubs are committed to the integrity of the competition they do not want to be playing at a financial loss particularly as it now seems certain that any games will be in closed stadiums.”

The lower down the English football pyramid, the more dependent clubs are on attendances and matchday revenue, and this will continue to be badly hit if matches are played without supporters.

‘The clubs are committed to wage caps for the 2020-21 season and beyond,” Radford wrote. “This recognises that revenue in 2020-21 is likely to be reduced by as much as 50 per cent.

‘The clubs want to urgently look with the EFL in to creative ways of setting the wage cap which guarantees the long term-future for all EFL clubs.”

League Two Bradford and League One Doncaster Rovers have responded to the financial challenges they are under by furloughing players and staff, including Rovers manager Darren Moore.

Resuming the season would give both clubs an outside chance of qualifying for the play-offs, which have been factored into the League's 56-day contingency plan, whereas Rotherham United sit in an automatic promotion spot in League One.

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