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It’s as exciting as it gets. On paper, it’s one if the best in the Champ. From the little we saw of Afobe (we knew he could score goals already), he had a far better all round game than I thought, and that bodes well....if fit. In some ways covid has given him the chance to steadily up his fitness. It would’ve been rushed had we completed fixtures on original dates. He’s given himself 8/9 weeks extra. I really hope he comes back firing, not just for us, but for him...he’s had a traumatic 9 months.

What an odd photo size of that head. Has an arse to match mind...

Parry has been served a hospital pass, because he inherited a dogs dinner of ffp problems thanks to the inept governance of his predecessor. However, Gibson notwithstanding, until now I do think the deafening silence on the stadium sale issue from every other club has not made things any easier in terms of the EFL squaring up to "offending" clubs. On the cover 19 thread I posted the comments by the Huddersfield owner about the financial impact of the virus on league clubs, with his stark warning that 50-60 clubs could go out of business. I suspect there are many clubs like Barnsley and Luton, that by necessity have had to be tightly run financially and live within their means even though it means they will struggle to compete at this level. Those clubs will struggle as much as any in the current situation and into the near future, let alone facing the prospect of being relegated without another ball being kicked.I can see how they will now feel even more aggrieved to see clubs that have flagrantly ignored the financial rules apparently sidestepping punishment due to issues caused by the same virus that risks their existence. As for automatic relegation for ffp breaches, I'm not sure. Would it be equitable for a club to be relegated with an ffp overspend of £1,000 over a 3 year period alongside another club that overspent £30m? My feeling is a sliding scale of points deduction depending on the eve of overspend, but make the pints deductions more punitive. Where you could introduce automatic relegation is where a club has, for example, been given a transfer embargo and agreed a plan with the EFL, but where they subsequently breach by failing to adhere to the agreed plan. However, it doesn't matter what penalties are available. First and foremost the EFL need to make the ffp rules absolutely airtight to avoid clubs having loopholes through which they can wriggle in future.

Obviously going in to see a load of crap.

This is the article relating his comments in full. I kno he's floating the suggestion of "adjusting "players' wages while the effects of cover 19 affect football, but wonder whether he ( and many other chairmen/owners) will be seeing it aether catalyst to enable some sort of re-setting players wages to levels that are more manageable within clubs' revenues and especially so given the impact of ffp. English football's pyramid will be destroyed unless the game starts to plan for the financial impact of Covid-19 beyond the 2019-20 season, says Huddersfield owner Phil Hodgkinson. Hodgkinson thinks as many as "50 or 60" clubs could go bust. He says he is looking at a "worst-case scenario" of no fans allowed in stadiums for the 2020-21 season. "The problem is not whether we finish [this] season or not, it is what happens after that," he told BBC Sport. Having previously owned National League North side Southport, Hodgkinson has experience of the hand-to-mouth existence of many lower-league clubs. "If we don't come to an agreement there will be no football pyramid. There are clubs I know of that are only still trading because they are deferring wages and [tax] and other creditors. They will need paying at some point," Hodgkinson said. "There is an absolutely real, stark probability that if something isn't agreed now within football to ensure all clubs can pay their bills and get through to the point where income is resumed, you will be looking at 50 or 60 clubs ceasing to exist. Genuinely, I am talking about that many." 'What is football going to do to ensure the entire pyramid survives?' Hodgkinson says Huddersfield, three points above the Championship relegation zone, want the season to restart "when it is safe", with clubs set to return to training on Monday. But he says the game "is not looking at the bigger picture", with the main focus being on restarting the current season. "It will cost each club between £150,000 and £200,000 for testing to get to the end of the season," he said. "But what happens after that? "We have been told by the government that there will be no large gatherings until there is a vaccine and that is likely to be in 2021. That means football clubs will lose a vast proportion of their income outside of any broadcast money, which is likely to be significantly reduced or clawed back anyway. "In normal revenue, we are looking at losing between £7m and £10m. The claw-back for TV is going to be £10m-£30m. That is just us. So, what is football going to do to ensure the entire pyramid survives this? The discussion is being avoided. For the next three, six or 12 months clubs are going to have no income." One solution Hodgkinson has suggested is reducing players' wages at every level of the game. "The players are not to blame," he said. "But the reality is, the players have to be part of the solution because if clubs go bust, their contracts won't get met anyway. "They may not like me saying this, but [players' union] the PFA need to put in place salary cuts of between 30% and 50% for all players at all levels until such a time as crowds are allowed back into football stadiums and income streams return. "These are ideas. They may not be the right ones. But something has to be done because everyone knows what is coming and people are just sticking their heads in the sand."

Miah an organisation that I'm a part of have been running a fund for Bristol care workers that aren't able to work. We don't have much to give, but if things are tight drop us an email careworkersnetworkbristol@gmail.com or message me. If not needed then even letting wife's colleagues know etc would be great! Also goes for anyone else reading that works in health and social care and I struggling due to the current situation.

This has just popped up on my memories. Remember when the dog botherer was linked with Leeds ?

The idea is 3rd to 9th then enters some form of play off competition, as said its to try and appeal to as many teams in league 1 as possible to save their ass

Ah I stopped reading after no relegation Pretty sure I haven't explained it right then as the way I did I don't think they'd survive

Not 100% sure but I think its in PPG the margin of error when calculating remaining points from PPG over the last 3 years you either have an extra 6.3% or 5.45% less points so all teams would have in effect 3 points totals the upper margin of error, actual ppg and lower margin of error. Its needed for point D, any teams upper margin of error that would see them finish 6th against other teams actual would see them invited to the play off tournament as there's a decent chance they could still get to the play offs seeing out the season. This would probably mean in the championship we'd be involved in a play off tournament given how close to Preston we are. In reality its to pander to the likes of DMaC so they support the idea because the idea includes no relegation as the leagues will need a solution to be applied should the league not be able to finish the season (second wave, localised lockdown stopping too many areas) and the likes of DMaC and other chairman/owners of teams around them would favour a plan that gives them a shot of play offs.

The Colours ... The Men They Couldn’t Hang

As a post script to this, I caught a bit of Simon Jordan on Talksport today. The absurd level of players' wages has been a hobby horse of his for some time and from what he said today it seems clear that he thinks that the financial landscape of football will change as a result of covid 19 and that players, agents and the PFA need to get their heads around this as he doesn;t think they can expect anything like the same contracts have they have enjoyed in the past. He wasn't just talking about the immediate aftermath of the virus, i.e. while clubs revenues are reduced while games are played behind closed doors, he sees this change being a long term one.

You can be at a club but not registered to play in the league, hence all the discussion around 25 man squads for premier league etc and who may get/loaned or transferred after they're announced, same would be for us. We have have an announced registered squad, we can't add to it until the window to do so re-opens, however players can join the club/return from loan but be ineligible to play.

Hodge article stated Man Utd dropped loan payments for clubs to pay. One player was at Hearts and season is over for them. Which was why I thought it was unfair on other clubs who still have to pay fees for there players on loan.. was just interested for in the past we had players on loan and were told till end of play offs and they go back. With Gary Neville saying clubs agree loans till end of season April/May wasn’t sure where we stood. If loan expires 30.06 then as James Piercey says up to parent club and they could recall the player for I presume registration goes back to parent club 1.07

31st June I believe

Well well. Clubs are really starting to make themselves known over this issue- going at each other, or the League. https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/barnsley-efl-protest-over-appalling-governance-sheffield-wednesday-left-waiting-2864238 Throw in what we know of Gibson's past actions, Millwall's comments this weekend- well battle lines are becoming drawn in the EFL. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/may/25/barnsley-relegation-letter-efl @Davefevs @downendcity @hodge @Coppello @Natchfever @Vincent Vega Probably missed a few too but dare say it'll interest you all. Barnsley are really fighting their corner on this one it seems. More than that, IMO they are fighting the corner of the compliant majority- though Birmingham's case seems the least controversial. I believe more clubs sympathise and indeed actively agree with Barnsley, Middlesbrough and Millwall- over 50% certainly- I just wish more would actively, publicly and vocally state it! I think some of the criticism IS a tad harsh because Parry is having to clear or try to clear up an almighty mess by Harvey but I totally understand Barnsley's anger here. I'm starting personally to lean towards an idea of automatic relegation for breaches of FFP. Dunno what anyone else thinks? Edit: Think Luton may also have spoken publicly about the issue of these cases being settled before the end of the season.

Galway is fantastic, so many people there see it as a mini Bristol

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/johnson-buzzing-as-players-return-to-failand-for-small-group-training/

Ideally play PNE first, beat them (?) and then season curtailed until playoffs ?

Absolutely. Can't wait around for a vaccine that now looks likely to be a non starter in view of how quickly the virus us disappearing. We will be in grounds with or without a vaccine by October at the latest

Blackburn was the first called off, then Wednesday, Forest, Cardiff, Hull, Boro, Stoke, Swansea, PNE (I think!)

I agree, that`s how it looks at the moment but you have to factor in the antibody tests. If it can be proved that if someone has the antibodies present and that means there is a minimal chance of them catching it again then that changes things massively. The longer it goes on, the more pressure will be put on Government to get back to some sort of normal and large gatherings will no doubt form part of that. Personally I think the virus will be around for ever and we are going to have to learn to live with it. It will take some major behavioural and societal shifts but I think we`re up to the challenge - I hope so anyway.

It's a tiny place so a very small amount of cases would do it. I wouldn't worry.

And I'm saying , corona virus was a big worry when tickets when on sale. I only highlighted what was happening in my household the reasons why I haven't renewed, to highlight that it would be the same ( and much worse) in many other cases. I think my family will be fine btw , in reality , if things don't work out all that well, it will probably just mean I will have to curtail things like football, rugby. horse racing and generally pissing my money up against the wall, rather than having to worry where the next meal is coming from, but I do thank everyone for their kind messages. Of course it's a piss taking thread and I don't think any -sane- Rovers fan could deny that your support , especially season ticket wise, absolutely blows ours out of the water, I was just pointing out that the figure of 600 for this season, has a lot more to do with people's personal finances and/or worries about the future , than it does to do with the fact that our football team/club is currently even more of a shambles than it usually is

I like your posts & input usually. I'm sorry to hear things a tough and hope you come through it all OK. But, don't come on your rivals forum & this thread and expect us not to take the piss. And I'm not taking the piss out of anyone whose not buying a season ticket NOW. I'm taking the piss that, pre-restrictions kicking in, 600 of your self proclaimed loyal & true, felt inclined to commit to supporting your club, for the coming season. Before anyone was aware that next season would be effected. Hopefully Rovers won't be around for next season, but that's peibably wishful thinking on my part. Stay safe & enjoy the sunshine. Otib.

Thank you, I think we will be okay, but it is good to know help is available if needed.

Sorry yes it was March. I was due to be in Guildford that week and was advised by my boss to work from home, the corona virus was already obviously a problem . You can take the piss all you want, it is a piss taking thread after all, but I wouldn't knock anyone from any club who isn't renewing at the moment.

They went on sale in April. I have been a season ticket holder for I would guess about 25 years and I haven't renewed yet, I'm furloughed my wife (a care worker) was instructed to stay at home for 4 weeks during which time she only got sick pay and my son has been furloughed. Hopefully when all this is over I will have a job to go back to, but there is no way I will be buying a season ticket until I'm sure I can use it.

Thanks for bringing this up again. Pure Gold! And where to start!? Fastest rising club in League One... New stadium around the corner... HUGE fanbase... Premiership club!!! I wonder if icegas is this guy...