Post by axegas on Apr 21, 2020 17:10:09 GMT
Bristol Rovers have furloughed their entire playing staff as the financial impact of coronavirus continues to bite across the EFL, Bristol Live understands.
Until this week, Rovers were one of only 10 clubs in League One and Two to have been directly paying their players 100 per cent of their salaries, with the rest either offering deferrals, pay cuts or taken advantage of the government's Job Retention Scheme.
With uncertainty over exactly when the League One campaign will resume, and the losses incurred due to no football for the last six weeks, Rovers have made this decision to help mitigate the considerable financial burden created.
The squad will continue to earn their wage in full, as the club will top up 20 per cent on the 80 per cent they receive through the furloughing scheme. It's unclear if there has been any furloughing of coaching or non-playing staff.
Last week the EFL recommended that all clubs in League One and Two take a 25 per cent pay cut across the board but that notice was issued only as advice, and clubs and players have been effectively making decisions independently.
Although the move may sound alarm among the Gas fanbase, in the context of the rest of League One, Rovers are said to be in a stronger position than most of their rivals.
Coventry, Sunderland, AFC Wimbledon and Doncaster put their players on furlough in the first week of April, following Fleetwood, Accrington Stanley, Rochdale and Gillingham who did so in March. Meanwhile, Ipswich, Lincoln City and Oxford United have furloughed some non-playing staff.
Many clubs are reliant solely on the input of their owners, with a number in serious financial trouble due to the impact felt on their respective businesses.
There are believed to be at least four clubs in League One who have been highlighted to the EFL with immediate concerns around their short and long-term health, but the Gas are not one of them.
Until this week, Rovers were one of only 10 clubs in League One and Two to have been directly paying their players 100 per cent of their salaries, with the rest either offering deferrals, pay cuts or taken advantage of the government's Job Retention Scheme.
With uncertainty over exactly when the League One campaign will resume, and the losses incurred due to no football for the last six weeks, Rovers have made this decision to help mitigate the considerable financial burden created.
The squad will continue to earn their wage in full, as the club will top up 20 per cent on the 80 per cent they receive through the furloughing scheme. It's unclear if there has been any furloughing of coaching or non-playing staff.
Last week the EFL recommended that all clubs in League One and Two take a 25 per cent pay cut across the board but that notice was issued only as advice, and clubs and players have been effectively making decisions independently.
Although the move may sound alarm among the Gas fanbase, in the context of the rest of League One, Rovers are said to be in a stronger position than most of their rivals.
Coventry, Sunderland, AFC Wimbledon and Doncaster put their players on furlough in the first week of April, following Fleetwood, Accrington Stanley, Rochdale and Gillingham who did so in March. Meanwhile, Ipswich, Lincoln City and Oxford United have furloughed some non-playing staff.
Many clubs are reliant solely on the input of their owners, with a number in serious financial trouble due to the impact felt on their respective businesses.
There are believed to be at least four clubs in League One who have been highlighted to the EFL with immediate concerns around their short and long-term health, but the Gas are not one of them.
