Fans and SAFC legend have their say on premature end to the League one season

FA Cup legend Dick Malone says the decision to curtail the League One season will have serious financial implications for many clubs.
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League One clubs voted to terminate the season with the league table settled on a points-per-game basis, dropping Sunderland into eighth position – the club’s lowest ever league finish – and a third consecutive season in the third flight.

Dick Malone said Sunderland had always faced an uphill task in trying to persuade other clubs to resume the season, even behind closed doors.

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“It was always going to be close because the people at the bottom who were in the throes of going down a league would be voting to terminate it now and the guys at the top, who had a chance of getting into the play-offs or achieving automatic promotion would be voting for it too,” he said.

Dick MaloneDick Malone
Dick Malone

There are a lot of clubs that are going to struggle financially. There must be some clubs who are just about ready to wind up.

“Sunderland has got bigger overheads than most, probably the biggest in that league. It is a shame for them because they still had a chance to getting into the play-offs at least and promotion would probably help financially.

“I don’t know how they are set, only the owner knows that.”

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Joanne YoungsonJoanne Youngson
Joanne Youngson

He backed the decision not to resume games in front of live crowds: “At the end of the day, we have got to keep everyone healthy. I have only been out for a walk four times in the last ten weeks since it started – it is driving me potty.

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Financial woes could, ironically, increase the chance of new owners coming in, said Dick: “I know there are people hovering around, there are people in the background looking to pounce. If the owner is looking for investment, that would be a good thing, but they will be sitting back, waiting to see what happens.

“On the footballing side, there will be players whose contracts are up and they will be away. I don’t know if we have have negotiated contacts with all the players who are staying – they are going to be looking to reduce costs.

“What happens next season will depend on how much money is available for clubs, how much they have got, because they will be looking to strengthen if they can afford it – but can they afford it?”

Joanne Youngson, of the Sunderland Supporters’ Association Boldon branch, was unhappy with the decision.

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“I’m disappointed with the way the EFL has handled the situation, as I felt there were enough games left for Sunderland to at least try and achieve promotion,” she said.

“It’s disappointing that clubs in the play-offs voted to end the season but are still going to play games... it’s tough times being a Sunderland fan at the minute and this just topped it off.”

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