No Games ...No Cash

Tranmere chief Palios fears the virus nightmare will hit lower league clubs who rely on money from fans to survive

- Mike Walters

Mark Palios has warned lower-division clubs face “hand-to-mouth hardship” after English football’s coronavirus lockdown.

Ex-Football Association chief executive Palios, now chairman of League One strugglers Tranmere Rovers, estimates the Wirral club could lose up to £500,000 of matchday income and associated revenue if the 2019-20 season is canned.

Rovers will be insulated against financial apocalypse because of money set aside for “capital projects” which can be reassigned to ease cash-flow problems at Prenton Park.

But Palios (right) fears for lower- division clubs with gates of 2,000, who will struggle to pay staff and player wages during the standstill.