So, What Happens . . .

[Nemo]

Aberdeen's game with St Johnstone at the weekend called off after several Aberdeen players test positive for Covid. Not entirely coincidentally, Aberdeen players were criticised for blatant breaches of the return to play protocol after socialising at a bar last Saturday after their game against Rangers.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11781/12044377/coronavirus-aberdeens-match-at-st-johnstone-postponed-after-positive-tests

I'm sure there must be more to it, but that seems like a pretty blatant case for giving St. Johnstone a 3-0 walkover.

[pauld]

Salary cap voted in

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53696424

[Bogus Dave]

Contracts signed prior to today will count towards the cap on a ‘divisional average’ basis to be agreed.

Not sure what that would look like. Probably rewards those like Bolton who’ve got their players in early though

[Chunkyhair]

What are thoughts on today's Covid 19 Statement from the club?

I had a ticket for my lad to come to the Crawley game that I am not going to look for a refund for, and likewise got Season Ticket with 4 games "in credit".  Again, not planning on getting a refund on the ST, the club probably needs the money more than me.  That said, I think the statement implies that the club would prefer the option to "Bring a friend" for 3 matches:

"To be fully transparent with our supporters, the three-game ‘Bring a Friend’ alternative, would be significantly better in relation to the Club’s financial management of the Covid-19 situation."

Not that I have got any friends of course, but if that is the clubs preference/better for them, then happy to oblige.

What to do for the best?  Or am I being a thick cunt not understanding the statement? (obvious responses please to the last question)

[Costanza]

Plenty of back slapping within Bolton's fanbase so I guess bringing in before the salary cap was a wise one?

Wellens always highlighted that Town were waiting on the cap.

I guess it impacts clubs differently.

[Panda Paws]

What are thoughts on today's Covid 19 Statement from the club?

I had a ticket for my lad to come to the Crawley game that I am not going to look for a refund for, and likewise got Season Ticket with 4 games "in credit".  Again, not planning on getting a refund on the ST, the club probably needs the money more than me.  That said, I think the statement implies that the club would prefer the option to "Bring a friend" for 3 matches:

"To be fully transparent with our supporters, the three-game ‘Bring a Friend’ alternative, would be significantly better in relation to the Club’s financial management of the Covid-19 situation."

Not that I have got any friends of course, but if that is the clubs preference/better for them, then happy to oblige.

What to do for the best?  Or am I being a thick cunt not understanding the statement? (obvious responses please to the last question)

Yes, they're saying the "bring a friend" option would obviously be their preference, over a refund.

[Chunkyhair]

Thanks - that's how I read it but was having a pre-pint Friday brain fade and wanted to check

[pauld]

Yes, they're saying the "bring a friend" option would obviously be their preference, over a refund.

But presumably the "Nah, don't worry keep the money" option is best of all for the club? I'm with Chunkyhair, it's phrased a bit ambiguously so it almost looks like the "Bring a friend" option is the best of the 3 options (i.e. better than the "Keep the money" option). Which seems counterintuitive, and possibly won't be possible anyway if there's limits on capacity etc

[horlock07]

The Football League's new motto should be "Never decide today that which can be put off until later (even if it can't really)"

Similarly with the PL. It was fairly obvious that their approach with the Newcastle takeover was to bluster and delay for as long as it took for the deal to collapse, thus avoid making any decision or setting any precedents.

[McGurk's Missus]

Plenty of back slapping within Bolton's fanbase so I guess bringing in before the salary cap was a wise one?

Wellens always highlighted that Town were waiting on the cap.

I guess it impacts clubs differently.

RE: Bolton though, I think it applies differently to them as the statement mentions about clubs that have been relegated, can use the cap applied to their previous division, so essentially that benefits any relegated club (as they likely will have higher contracts). I wonder if the same/similar will be applied for relegated Championship clubs? Seeing as they haven't decided their "financial strategy". Would the likes of Hull, Wigan & Charlton be waiting on any arrangement there? Will they work off the £2.5m for L1 or will they have dispensation to work of any Championship arrangement?

This bit seems to suggest so for any relegated Champ, L1 or L2 club:
...clubs that are relegated will be permitted to cap all contracts at the divisional average prior to the club's relegation until those contracts expire."

I like the 5% "buffer" to some degree, which at least will work like a wrist slap but going over should incur much more significant punishment as at least you've been given the chance to take the piss a little (which no doubt several will weigh up the worthiness of going into the buffer).

Will be interesting to see how various clubs lawyers will look at ways of getting around it but at the outset it will be interesting to see how players respond to who they sign for. Will give us certain indicators for sure.

[Bogus Dave]

But presumably the "Nah, don't worry keep the money" option is best of all for the club? I'm with Chunkyhair, it's phrased a bit ambiguously so it almost looks like the "Bring a friend" option is the best of the 3 options (i.e. better than the "Keep the money" option). Which seems counterintuitive, and possibly won't be possible anyway if there's limits on capacity etc

It does say tbf, just not in the lead where it should

“ This ticket initiative is an opportunity to not only help the club in the short term by waiving a refund, but use those three games to give a friend a taste of what the County Ground has to offer. With a new division to compete in and attractive football on display week-in-week-out, your friends would be foolish to turn you down.”

So effectively you can get a refund, or if you don’t want a refund you have the option of getting three extra tickets for a mate. But you don’t have to do that if you don’t have any mates. Assume this option would be the clubs preference as they keep your season ticket money and then hope the friend purchases sundries at the game (standard ticket promo stuff)

It doesn’t affect me, and it’s taken a bit of time but it’s the right stance by the club to take and fair play to them for doing so.

[Panda Paws]

But presumably the "Nah, don't worry keep the money" option is best of all for the club? I'm with Chunkyhair, it's phrased a bit ambiguously so it almost looks like the "Bring a friend" option is the best of the 3 options (i.e. better than the "Keep the money" option). Which seems counterintuitive, and possibly won't be possible anyway if there's limits on capacity etc

Yeah for sure. The statement leaves a lot to be desired, copy wise.

They've got to be careful though - guaranteed if they said "leaving the money with us is the best option" some prat somewhere would have a pop.

[pauld]

Yeah for sure. The statement leaves a lot to be desired, copy wise.

TBF I thought it was pretty good apart from that ambiguity. I was pleased they included a "No guilt trip" bit by saying "Look we know some people have had it rough with Covid so if you need the money, take it". Some clubs have just gone heavy on the guilt trip of how much they need the money with no recognition that a lot of fans are suffering hardship too.

They've got to be careful though - guaranteed if they said "leaving the money with us is the best option" some prat somewhere would have a pop.

Oh don't worry about that, already seen someone on Twitter complaining "So we don't get anything now then" because the ticket office isn't open yet. I suppose tbf I'm fortunate enough that I don't need the refund, if I'd been put in a desperate situation by Covid I might be quite impatient to get money owed to me as well. No perfect answers in an imperfect situation

It doesn’t affect me, and it’s taken a bit of time but it’s the right stance by the club to take and fair play to them for doing so.

Yep completely agree

[Dr Pierre Chang]

EFL not checking in with the Unions? Glad to see they remain as incompetent as ever...

[Chunkyhair]

Ambiguity aside (the word I was looking for...), the club have been very good here in giving everyone options to do what they feel is best for their own circumstances/the clubs interests.  No one can accuse them of trying to shaft anyone (though I am sure there is a conspiracy theorist somewhere saying that whatever you do in these circumstances as a fan, Power will trouser the loot).

It is really just another example of trying to do the right thing in fucking unprecedented times, with comms not always the best when intentions are great (my workplace has been very good through COVID but still folks complain about comms and shit, and of course the Govt have set a fine example in effective comms strategy in a crisis)