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      Premier League chiefs tell cash-strapped lower league clubs ‘we’ll help you survive with or without EFL blessing’

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      PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs have told cash-strapped lower-league clubs: ‘We will help you survive – whether the EFL gives its blessing or not.’
      The top-flight insists the initial £50million bailout offer for League One and Two, which was rejected last month, remains on the table.

      Premier League chiefs have told lower league clubs they are ready to help with or without EFL supportCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Lower-tier clubs have been told they can come to the PL for survival cash, even if the EFL does not give its approval.
      One Premier League source explained: “We would prefer to do this with the EFL’s blessing.
      “But we have made it clear that any club in League One or Two can come to us and ask for funding, as long as they can show they need it because of Covid.”
      And  in a new letter to the EFL, the top flight  promised Championship clubs who face Covid- enforced oblivion they can come to them for  help.

      Premier League bosses confirmed their initial offer to the lower tiers remains in place despite its rejection.
      It added: “We will also support any Championship club suffering from  Covid-19 distress, on a case-by-case basis.”
      The letter comes ahead of the next  EFL board meeting on Thursday — in which chairman Rick Parry will urge his 72 teams to hold the line over the cash issue.
      Parry, who says the EFL needs £250m by the end of the season, last week warned Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden he would “never be forgiven” if clubs went under as a result of the failure of Government to offer cash while grounds are shut.

      Parry also appeared to be backing away from a  conflict with the Premier League but admitted at the weekend that  EFL sides would be “struggling” to pay wages “around Christmas”.
      One club chief said:  “We have made it clear that any team that needs help because of Covid only has to come to us.
      “That applies to the Championship as well.”

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      Wimbledon return to Plough Lane after 29 years away – having ‘lost their spirit’ following Selhurst Park ground-share

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      IT HAS been 29 long years — but tonight Wimbledon come home.
      The Dons left Plough Lane in 1991 to groundshare with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, before being franchised to Milton Keynes in 2002.

      Wimbledon return to their home at Plough Lane for the first time in 29 years tonightCredit: Twitter @TimMcKenna5

      Since then, there has been the formation of AFC Wimbledon and their remarkable rise through the non-league ranks to reach League One.
      Off the pitch, a series of red-tape struggles have slowed the return to their spiritual home, with supporters raising funds to get the building work finally completed on a stadium with an initial capacity of 9,300.
      The old ground has long since been bulldozed to make way for flats, but Plough Lane stands just 500 yards from the original site, albeit in a different postcode.
      Dons legend Dickie Guy, who made almost 600 appearances for the club, hailed the achievement in getting back to their Plough Lane roots.

      He told SunSport: “It will mean everything to see the club back at Plough Lane.
      “To have our club taken away from us like we did back in 2002 by the outrageous decision from the FA.
      “To do what our supporters have done — by putting their hands in their pockets to get the stadium done — and what the team has done on the pitch throughout the years to get back to League One.
      “It is just an amazing story which I don’t think will ever be repeated.”

      The Dons welcome Doncaster Rovers to the Lane having left in 1991Credit: Rex Features

      Ex-keeper Guy played for Wimbledon between 1967 and 1978. He is widely remembered for saving Peter Lorimer’s penalty in 1975, as the non-league side held Leeds to a draw in the FA Cup at Elland Road.
      Guy is now president of AFC Wimbledon and claims the club lost their identity when they moved out of SW19.
      And he cannot hide his delight at their return for tonight’s clash with Doncaster Rovers.

      Plough Lane timeline

      1912: SEP 7, Wimbledon play their first match at Plough Lane — having secured a freehold on the land.

      1984: Ground  sold to chairman Sam Hammam for £3million. 
      1991: May 4, Wimbledon play their final game at Plough Lane, a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace — who they would ground share with the following season.
      1998: Hammam sells Plough Lane to supermarket  Safeway.
      2002: The same season as AFC Wimbledon’s formation, Safeway fail to get planning permission but  Lane stands are demolished.
      2005: Site is sold to developers to build 570 flats — which are completed in 2008.
      2013: Dons submit plans to  Merton Council to redevelop the Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium.
      2015: Merton Council  agree to the proposal for a 20,000-seater ground on the site of Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium.
      2016: March 22, major blow as London Mayor Boris Johnson calls in  scheme for a review.
      2016: July 27, Johnson’s replacement Sadiq Khan moves plans back to council to press ahead.
      2016: Sep 27, final approval is granted for the Dons to build their dream home.
      2017: Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium is closed.
      2018: Work begins on building the new ground.

      He added: “Plough Lane was always a decent non-league ground.
      “But as the club moved closer to the Football League, it was small to the other clubs in the league.
      “It was our home and the club lost all its spirit once they moved to Selhurst Park.
      “I am absolutely over the moon we are back there.”

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      Scunthorpe forced to call off next THREE League Two matches after coronavirus outbreak with 18 in isolation

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      SCUNTHORPE have been forced to call off their next THREE League Two matches after a coronavirus outbreak has put 18 players in isolation.
      Eight of their players have tested positive for Covid-19 and another ten will have to self-isolate due to being in close contact with the others.

      Scunthorpe’s next THREE games have been called off due to coronavirus fearsCredit: Rex Features

      That is effectively their whole match day squad, with the remaining players not training for a week.
      The club released a statement on it’s website earlier today detailing the reasons why the games was being postponed.
      The statement reads: “Scunthorpe United can confirm our next three Sky Bet League Two games have been postponed due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases among the playing and coaching staff.
      “Due to these cases, the club has advised the EFL it is unable to safely fulfil the fixtures against Salford City (Tuesday, October 27), Colchester United (Friday, October 30) and Port Vale (Tuesday, November 3) at present.

      “Following testing on Monday, a total of eight players have now tested positive for Covid-19, with a further ten having to self-isolate due to coming into close contact with those particular players, leaving just ten players available. As a precaution, training for the unaffected players and staff will also cease for seven days.
      “The club is following all of Public Health England and the EFL’s Covid-19 protocols and will not name the players in question. We ask that their request for privacy and confidentiality are respected at this time.

      “We wish those affected a swift and safe recovery, and look forward to welcoming them back to the club soon.”
      The three games in question are against Salford on tonight, Colchester on Friday and Port Vale on November 3.

      The EFL has indicated an investigation will be opened into the circumstances of the postponements while new dates for the fixtures will be arranged.
      Scunthorpe’s would-be opponents tonight, Salford, were understanding of the issue and wished the club well on social media.
      On their Twitter they wrote: ‘Tonight’s game at Scunthorpe United has regrettably been postponed due to a number of Covid cases at Scunthorpe.
      “A new date and time will be announced in due course but in the meantime our best wishes for a speedy recovery to those affected at @SUFCOfficial.”
      This is not the first time a club in the lower leagues has had to postpone a fixture due to coronavirus.
      Earlier this month, Crewe’s tie against Oxford was cancelled twice due to Covid-19.

      Salford have wish Scunthorpe players a speedy recovery ahead of tonight’s postponed clashCredit: PA:Press Association
      The League One clash had originally been due to go ahead on October 3, only for Crewe player Omar Beckles to return a positive result for coronavirus on the morning of the game.
      This prompted them to postpone the match just 32 minutes before kick-off, causing outrage and sparking a police investigation.
      Crewe then postponed the match again after two more players tested positive for Covid-19, while a third was already in self-isolation.

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      Leeds eyeing 17-year-old Wigan starlet Sean McGurk in second January swoop after failed summer bid

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      LEEDS want to sign Wigan superkid Sean McGurk at the second attempt.
      They had a bid turned down by the club’s administrators in the last window.

      Leeds are plotting a January swoop for Wigan teenager Sean McGurk after missing out on him in the summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      That was because the Latics’ youth set-up thought they were losing too much talent.
      But Elland Road chiefs plan to go in again for the talented midfielder, 17, and get him to follow fellow ex-Latics star Joe Gelhardt, 18, to the club.
      Gelhardt joined on the same day as Jack Harrison during the summer.

      But he is yet to be involved for Marcelo Bielsa’s first team.
      Instead the forward has starred for the Under-23s in the Premier League 2.
      He already has a goal and an assist to his name from five appearances.
      Wigan lost a staggering 25 players at the end of last season either through being released or sold.

      The club were relegated into League One and continue to face financial woes.

      Among the standout departures were Kieffer Moore to Cardiff, Antonee Robinson to Fulham, Jamal Lowe to Swansea and Cedric Kipre to West Brom.
      Anthony Pilkington and Danny Fox headed off to India together to sign for East Bengal.
      Leeds, meanwhile, brought in 12 players on permanent deals – as well as Harrison on loan – to prepare for life back in the Premier League.

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      EFL clubs threaten to withhold taxes in desperate attempt to secure Government bailout after coronavirus hell

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      EFL clubs are threatening to refuse to pay their taxes this week — unless the Government bails them out.
      The revolutionary plan to get emergency financial aid was discussed at a meeting between hard-up teams.

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      EFL clubs are threatening to refuse to pay their taxes this week unless the Government bails them outCredit: PA:Press Association

      A monthly PAYE tax payment is due by each of the EFL’s 72 clubs to HMRC on Thursday but there is a plot for ALL owners to band together and refuse.
      It has been brewing for weeks and was on the table at a ring-round of executives and chairmen last week.
      A hardcore band of Championship chiefs are behind the idea, however many clubs in League One and League Two are happy to join in.
      It will need teams to stick together — but the mood within the ranks is that they are now simply desperate for cash.

      The ultimate punishment for clubs who do not pay tax is a winding-up order.
      One leading mover in the plot said: “It is the nuclear option but we are at this stage if there is no help from the Government or Premier League.
      “If we all do not pay, the Government can dish out winding-up orders on each of us — and shut the industry if they want.“But that would not be a good look.”
      The EFL is enduring the biggest crisis in its history, with supporters banned from grounds due to Covid-19. Yet players and staff have been back on full salaries and the tax is due.

      Many clubs were using the furlough scheme to help — however now the game is up and running that has gone.
      Many are struggling to pay HMRC anyway, but others think this is a chance to make a stand and bring the Government back to the table.
      The Premier League were told to help out, yet offers so far have fallen well below the request for £250million.
      There is anger among the clubs and that was shown when League One and League Two rejected an immediate grant worth around £400,000 each last week.
      The solidarity shown with that decision — due to Championship teams being offered nothing — is now set to carry on to the looming showdown with the tax man.

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      EFL clubs reject Premier League’s £50m coronavirus bail-out fund which would have kept Leagues One and Two alive

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      EFL clubs have turned down the Prem £50m bail out – potentially driving League One and Two clubs to the wall.
      In a move seemingly certain to spark further top flight fury, the three lower divisions branded the offer “conditional” as they declined to accept the money.

      It is another mounting problem for EFL chief Rick Parry

      The Prem had offered £20m immediately for League One and Two with a further £30m to come, on top of the £27.2m in “solidarity” payments already made, with no separate cash for the Championships.
      And after a day of twists and turns as the 72 clubs met virtually in their respective divisions, the EFL said: “The need for continued unity across the membership base was fundamental to discussions across all three divisions.
      “Therefore there was a strong consensus that any rescue package must meet the requirements of all 72 Clubs before it can be considered in full.
      “The League has been very clear in its discussions of the financial requirements needed to address lost gate receipts.

      “While EFL Clubs are appreciative that a formal proposal has now been put forward, the conditional offer of £50million falls some way short of this.
      The decision caused deep anger and resentment for some Prem clubs, who were talking of “pulling the plug” altogether.
      However, senior Premier League sources insisted the money would remain “on the table” and urged lower division clubs to talk to them directly.
      The Prem also said it would be willing to listen to approaches from any Championship sides who found themselves in an “existential crisis” as a result of the pandemic.

      SunSport understands that Championship clubs had reached a consensus that the smart play was for the money to be accepted “on behalf of the EFL”.
      The idea was that the first £20m would be sent direct to the bottom two tiers with the rest placed in a hardship fund which would be available for cash-strapped Championship sides to apply for.
      That would have been unacceptable for some Prem clubs although others are believed to have been willing to consider a compromise if they were given joint sign-off on the recipients.
      But instead, a number of Prem clubs now feel the money has been “thrown back in our faces”.
      And while the EFL said it was “keen to continue discussions with the Premier League to reach an agreeable solution” the mood between the two sides is hardening.

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      Premier League clubs set to make £50m bail-out offer to League One and Two clubs to save stricken EFL due to coronavirus

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are set to make a £50million bail-out offer to keep League One and Two clubs alive.
      But there will be NO money available for Championship clubs.

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      Top flight teams will offer cash-strapped League One and Two sides £50mCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And the top flight outfits are also expected to demand the head of English Football League chairman Rick Parry.
      The majority of Premier League clubs are furious at Parry for conducting secret negotiations with Liverpool and Manchester United that saw the EFL chairman become the public face of Project Big Picture.
      EFL clubs have come out in support of Parry, pointing to the promise of £250m immediately coming from the Premier League to the lower three divisions as a result of the plan.
      But there is fierce resistance among the Prem sides to handing over any money to Championship clubs – many of whom have wealthier owners than the top flight sides.

      The top tier sides do recognise there is an expectation from the fans and pressure from the Government on them to help keep the lower league clubs alive.
      And that will lead to what is expected to be a ‘take it or leave it’ offer to Leagues One and Two.
      That approach seems likely to divide the lower division sides with some determined to back Parry and Project Big Picture and others admitting self-interest and their own survival might prevail.
      Gillingham chairman Paul Scally conceded: “If there was no alternative, of course I would take it.”

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      Some Premier League clubs could call for EFL chairman Parry to quitCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      However, Championship clubs would be able to block any deal with the lower tier clubs.
      Under EFL rules, the Championship must be in favour for any policy to be agreed by the entire League and the 24 clubs would be certain to vote unanimously against a deal that cuts them out.
      But the fury of the clubs towards Parry will mean a vote is expected to formally call for him to step down from the EFL.

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      Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow slammed the former Prem boss as he said: “I think it’s amazing that the head of EFL, which is already receiving nearly £400m per year, would’ve chosen to go live with a plan without discussing it directly with the Premier League.
      “I applaud the notion that the Championship, League One and League Two want to engage with the Premier League.
      “But the way to do that is to talk to the chairman and chief executive of that league through the front door, not to head over to Florida and Boston and discuss it with only two teams.”

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      Oxford clash with Crewe in League One axed for second time just hours before kick-off due to coronavirus

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      OXFORD’S game against Crewe has been axed for the SECOND time just hours before kick-off due to coronavirus.
      The League One clash had originally been due to go ahead on October 3, only for Crewe player Omar Beckles to return a positive result for coronavirus on the morning of the game.

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      Oxford vs Crewe has been postponed again due to coronavirus, with the visitors ‘unable to fulfil the fixture’Credit: Rex Features

      The club sparked fury after calling the game off just 32 minutes before kick-off – sparking a police investigation.
      And now the match has been postponed again, with Crewe ‘unable to fulfil the fixture’ after two more players tested positive for Covid-19, with a third already in self-isolation.
      The Football League revealed Crewe had informed them they would not be playing after careful consideration of Government and EFL guidelines.
      A statement read: “The EFL can confirm that Crewe Alexandra’s Sky Bet League One fixture with Oxford United this evening has been postponed.

      “Following consultation with the club, they have determined they’re unable to fulfil the fixture.
      “The decision has been taken after the club considered the relevant guidance from the Government and EFL.
      “The league will now continue to work with the club to ensure the fixture with Blackpool and subsequent games go ahead as planned.”
      A Crewe statement added: “Following consultation with the EFL, Crewe Alexandra has decided that our game with Oxford United this evening should be postponed.

      “The decision has been taken after fully considering the relevant guidance from the Government and EFL.
      “The Football Club will now continue to work with the EFL to ensure our fixture with Blackpool and subsequent games go ahead as planned.”
      An Oxford statement read: “Tonight’s game against Crewe Alexandra has been postponed after Crewe notified the EFL that they were unable to fulfil the fixture.
      “Following consultation with the EFL the decision has been taken after fully considering the relevant guidance from the Government and EFL.
      “Oxford United will await further instruction on when the game can now take place but will wait for clarification on the circumstances surrounding the postponement before making further comment.”

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