Fans not returning this season is 'unthinkable' says Sheffield Wednesday chief Garry Monk

Clubs across the land are counting the cost of the decision to pause the return of supporters to grounds and Monk says that a significant assistance package is required to protect clubs - or else many could find themselves 'in big trouble', according to the Owls chief.

The Government has endeavoured to protect sectors of the economy during the Covid-19 crisis and Monk says that football is no different with the belief that the game is awash with money being a fallacy.

Monk said: "It is a big concern. Across the whole EFL, clubs cannot afford to have no revenue.

"You might be able to get contingency plans in for these first months. But the possibility of a year without crowds in there is unthinkable for a lot of clubs. For the majority of clubs, it is big trouble ahead.

"It is not fair to say the Premier League has got money, they should help. I think there's something that definitely needs to be done. Whether that can be worked with all the relevant bodies, governing bodies and Premier League - as that is where the biggest money is - there needs to be something to help clubs out. Because I do not know how a lot of these clubs will survive a potential year without revenue.

"You think of any business in the world. To go a year without revenue, I don't know how you would survive.

"I think the mistake people make is that football is just full of money. It is not as simple and true as that. At the elite end, it is. But even they cannot afford to lose revenue. In the EFL, it is a big concern.

"The perception of football is: 'Everyone is rich, everyone has got money'. They are the same business as anyone else and have the same struggles as any other business.

"The Government have bailed out quite a few sectors - quite rightly, great. Throughout the whole lockdown period, some of the things they have put in place have been excellent.

"They need to apply that to football and not just assume the perception that everyone is rich and has got money."

On the decision to delay the phased return of fans to stadiums just days after some pilot schemes allowing 1,000 spectators to return to selected game last weekend, Monk commented: "It was a big blow as it just looked like we were getting back to a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

"There is nothing more than you want as a player, staff member and manager than having a crowd in there behind you, especially in the situation we are in. But it is what it is.

"There is a little bit of questioning behind it as the reason why was because of crowds outside the ground.

"Of course, we never expected it to be straightaway for fans to be fully allowed back in. If they were going to stagger it, I don't see where the problem would be. But we have to get on with it."

Financial issues for clubs in the EFL have been exacerbated by Covid-19 testing costs and Monk that many clubs have struggled with the costs of regular testing.

"The important thing for the club is the implication of the cost. It costs a lot of money to test a group of players and staff - may be forty or fifty people twice a week. It costs a lot of money," the Owls manager added.

"Unfortunately, there is no support for that and the clubs have to pay for that themselves. With no revenue coming in and the climate we are, it is a heavy expense for teams to pay.

"I know a lot of clubs in the lockdown period and coming out of it were pushing for help with that from the authorities.

"But in the end, nothing was given and the clubs had to pay themselves and it is an expense thing to do. There are a lot of problems with that across the board, especially in the EFL.

"It is an expense a lot of clubs cannot afford. Some clubs can afford it a little bit easier, but the majority cannot."