BARNET have put all non-playing staff on redundancy notice as the crippling financial devastation of coronavirus begins to take its toll.
It is understood that it means 60 employees are set to be let go by the North London club.
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Barnet were forced to make widespread redundancies as the impact of coronavirus took effect at the National League clubCredit: Getty – Contributor
Players are protected due to their contracts but general workers are the ones most vulnerable with no money coming into the club.
The National League side sit 11th in the table before the division announced on Monday that all matches have been suspended until at least April 3.
Head coach Darren Currie has a long notice period and therefore should the season resume, he will remain in charge to see out the campaign.
A Barnet statement said: “Over the past few days, we have taken emergency measures to preserve the Club and ensure it remains sustainable.
“Since relegation, we have seen a general drop in crowd attendances of 50 per cent, whilst general costs have increased resulting in operational losses of approximately £100,000 per month.
“In addition to these challenges, we have to consider the greater challenge of the impact that Covid-19 will have in the immediate and long-term future.
It is my responsibility to ensure Barnet FC continues to survive and remains financially stable and therefore, I have had to make difficult decisions.
Tony Kleanthous, Barnet chairman
“In order to meet the challenges ahead of us, we will have to dismantle our existing cost structure and look to rebuild for next season with a much leaner cost base.
“We have therefore taken the difficult decision to put all Barnet FC staff on notice. This is to include all first team coaching and backroom staff, the Barnet FC Academy and many of the operational staff across all areas of the Club.”
Club chairman Tony Kleanthous, who has owned Barnet for 26 years and was previously a board member at the Football League and FA, called on the Premier League to help smaller clubs out in this time amid the coronavirus crisis.
He told The Guardian: “I’m not looking for a handout from the Premier League, but they have a duty to football.
“They have enjoyed their billions for many years, so maybe for one year they need to say they are not spending their money on massive players’ wages, and are stepping in for football itself. What form that takes, I leave up to them.”
He added in the club statement: “Our greatest concern is that within the UK and across the entire world, people are losing loved ones. Our sympathies and thoughts go out to everyone affected but right now, I have to focus my attention closer to home and look at the impact it’s having on our Club.
“It is my responsibility to ensure Barnet FC continues to survive and remains financially stable and therefore, I have had to make difficult decisions.
“I have to be open and honest with the staff and it’s been a difficult past few days having to deliver the bad news but it’s something that had to be done.
“The knock-on effects are of course heart-breaking for me personally as I am fully aware of how this will impact my phenomenal team of hard-working support staff across the group.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
