Burnley could run out of money by August, warns chairman amid coronavirus crisis

Despite being one of the better-run sides in the top flight, the Clarets face “significant challenges” in terms of revenue ceded if 2019/20 doesn’t resume

Dyche was unhappy after Burnley lost at Arsenal (AFP/Getty)

Burnley chairman Mike Garlick has warned that the club could run out of money by August amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

On Saturday, Burnley underscored how ruinous the financial consequences will be if the Premier League season is not completed by estimating the £50 million they stand to lose will be doubled at other clubs.

And following a club statement, Garlick told Sky Sports: “The fact of the matter is if we don’t finish this season and there isn’t a clear start date for next season, we as a club will run out of money by August, that’s a fact. I can’t speak for other clubs.

“That’s why we are very, very determined that when it’s safe to do so, we really do want to finish this season. Finishing the season is the only real outcome for all the Premier League clubs.”

Elite football in England has been suspended since 13 March due to the coronavirus pandemic and the Premier League confirmed on Friday that fixtures will “only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so”.

Sean Dyche’s Burnley, 10th in the standings, have been applauded as one of the more operationally savvy top-flight outfits. They have recorded a pre-tax profit for a third consecutive campaign and their wage bill of £87m represents 63 per cent of turnover – among the lowest in the division.

Despite that, the club released a statement on Saturday to be “transparent with supporters, staff and stakeholders” over the “significant challenges” they face.

Burnley are set to cede £5m in revenue from the remaining home games, given the likely prospect of them being played behind closed doors.

They would miss out cash payments from the Premier League of up to £45m in broadcasting revenue if the season is not finished, noting other clubs will be facing a £100m shortfall.

“It’s a completely unprecedented situation that we and other Premier League clubs face and which we could not have foreseen in anyway only just a few weeks ago,” Garlick said.

“It’s now not just about Burnley or any other individual club anymore, it’s about the whole football ecosystem from the Premier League downwards and all the other businesses and communities that feed from that ecosystem.

“As a club, as fans, as staff members and as a town we are all in this together and I’m sure we can get through this by sticking together and helping each other in every way possible in these tough times. We all need to do our bit, however small, together as one club.”

Burnley have also announced that demand for foodbank service has quadrupled since 23 March, with 295 food parcels delivered in less than two weeks.

Those packages have fed 655 people, 252 of which were children.