Phil Parkinson discusses the major challenge facing football league clubs and why the Premier League could be key

Phil Parkinson admits that uncertainty over when fans can return to stadiums is a source of great concern for football league clubs.
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A number of League One clubs are eager for the current campaign to be brought to an early conclusion, due to the financial implications of restarting and potentially beginning a new campaign behind closed doors.

Sunderland are one of six clubs eager to play on, but Parkinson is sympathetic to those who are not and has therefore backed an extended play-off campaign as a solution that could potentially suit all sides. A vote is expected later this week.

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The government has said that it will allow sporting events to resume behind closed doors from the beginning of June, but with the major caveat that stadiums are not expected to be opened to fans ‘until significantly later’.

Sunderland boss Phil ParkinsonSunderland boss Phil Parkinson
Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson

This is a source of great concern in League One and Two, where matchday income is far more significant than broadcast revenues.

“There's so much debate going on at board level,” Parkinson said.

“The most important thing for teams outside the Premier League is to get supporters back inside the grounds as safely and as quickly as possible.

Supporters are the lifeblood of our clubs.

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“In the Premier League, the TV revenue is their biggest revenue stream.

“For clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two, supporters coming through the turnstiles is the most important thing.

“There is that other issue, when is that going to happen and how do clubs manage that situation?”

Parkinson is continuing to prepare for a return to training next Monday, mirroring Premier League clubs who will begin training in groups of five from Tuesday.

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Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has previously said that any Premier League return must be financially beneficial for the whole pyramid, and Parkinson believes top-tier support could be key.

“The Premier League has been very productive financially, particularly over the last ten years,” he said.

“You'd like to see that they do everything they can to protect the strong divisions in English football, because that is the beauty of the game here, the strength of the divisions and we want to protect as many clubs as we can. “