Early End To Cost Chester £100K

The early end to the current season is expected to cost Chester City around £100K.

However many season ticket holder supporters have told the club they will not ask for refunds on their season tickets.

Here's part of Chester's latest statement:

"While it is not possible to put an exact figure on the cost of the pandemic to the club, the cancellation of five home matches and several fundraising events mean a potential £100,000 worth of revenue has been lost.

"We have placed the majority of club staff on furlough leave and accessed the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). The board decided to continue to pay all staff, including those furloughed, 100% of their salaries up until May 2.

"At present the CJRS is due to run until June 30. We are in continuing dialogue with HMRC regarding the scheme; however, given the uncertainty around when football will resume there may well be more difficult conversations to take place as time goes on.

"The club has a number of ongoing running costs and annual outgoings to consider over the coming weeks and months including insurances, utilities and VAT. Where possible, we have taken steps to defer or postpone these payments, including the negotiation of payment holidays which means the club does not have to pick up the cost later in the year.

"The club has applied for a Coronavirus Business Support Grant (£25,000) and club has received business rates relief for this tax year (£11,700).

"We have been in frequent contact with the National League regarding the impact of the pandemic on the game. In April we supported a resolution asking member clubs to end the season and cancel remaining matches. The league has since asked member clubs whether the play-offs should be cancelled or postponed – the outcome of this vote has not yet been confirmed.

"We are due to receive circa £13,000 which is the advanced annual solidarity payment from the Premier League for the 2020/21 season. The virtual matchday initiatives have raised £4,000 which will cover of the costs of improving the pitch over the summer.

"We have contacted sponsors and supporters who had booked hospitality packages for cancelled matches and we are extremely thankful to those who have generously advised the club to retain these funds."