New football season behind closed doors? It's a non-starter for Eastbourne boss

Bloor agrees with the league’s concern that many clubs will not be able to afford to stage matches and get a team on the pitch if they are not getting money in through the gates.

His comments came as he praised the volunteers who have been keeping Borough’s Priory Lane home looking spick and span during the lockdown, ensuring it will look its best when football does eventually return.

It was reported on Tuesday that the National League believed it was not ‘practical’ or ‘sustainable’ to start next season behind closed doors.

The league has told clubs the start date of August 8 will need to be reviewed and updated.

Clubs have been asked to respond if they disagree.

The league has also said that in working out a 2020-21 start date, it will be guided by the FA, EFL season dates, the views of its clubs and plans for the rest of non-league.

Bloor said the league’s stance was spot on.

“I’ve said before that at our level, I don’t think it’s sustainable (to play without a paying crowd). We rely heavily on people coming through the turnstiles, bar revenue, hospitality, sponsorship and advertising.

“Football at our club and our level is all about the fans, the people who come and watch, and it simply does not add up if you take those people out of the equation.”

Playing the opening stages of the season behind closed doors would mean Borough and clubs like them having to commit heavily to their playing budget without having any income – and few if any would cope.

Further up the football structure, clubs’ matchday income tends to make up a much smaller proportion of turnover, with factors like TV money coming into play.

Bloor said it would be nice to receive some firm news about the start of next season soon, but repeated his view that everyone in football just had to be patient while the virus was dealt with.

The manager visited Priory Lane on Saturday and found a group of volunteers doing their bit to keep the ground looking in tip-top condition.

And he said he wanted to thank the ‘unsung heroes’ without whom Borough – and all non-league clubs – could not survive.

He said: “I went to the ground for the first time in a long time and found a loyal band of volunteers – all following social distancing rules, of course.

“They were weeding, tidying up, doing all the little jobs that need doing.

“I would like to publicly thank those guys. They’re our unsung heroes. Forget players and managers, these are the people that keep the club going.

“The ground looks fantastic, it looks as good as I’ve seen it. And the fact that it does is not down to a goalkeeper making a save or a midfield player making a tackle, it’s down to those volunteers who do their bit come rain or shine.

“I look forward to us all getting together properly.”