'There's no more money in the pipeline': Sunderland's promotion rivals detail their brutal financial losses

League One clubs were hopeful of welcoming back supporters to stadia in early October, but those plans have now been indefinitely paused by the government.

And for Catlin and Pompey, the lack of clarity over when and how fans will be able to attend sporting fixtures is causing them to hastily re-draw budgets – which have already had to been re-jigged to reflect six-figure losses.

"We’re currently suffering losses of £750,000 a month and have done now since lockdown in March, so we’re already approaching a figure of four or five million during this period,” explained Catlin, speaking to Good Morning Britain.

"The thing that really is hurting us is the unknown. How long is it going to go on for?

"While we keep putting budgets in for a certain set of circumstances - which was to come back in limited form in September on a trial basis, have gradually more in October and then hopefully that would be stepped-up – but that’s all out the window now and we’re just back to waiting to see what the government says.”

Equally concerning for Catlin and a host of other EFL clubs is that no further financial support seems forthcoming.

And while many have pointed the finger at the Premier League to provide that assistance, Catlin believes that the government will also have to do their bit.

"The Premier League have, and some might say rightly so, been given quite a bit of stick over the lack of response,” he added.

"But we have been advanced pretty much all of this coming season’s money by the Premier League and the EFL.

"That’s the problem at this moment in time – this money has been advanced, it’s being used to keep clubs afloat generally, but there’s no more money in the pipeline.

"Now is the time, to a degree, that the Premier League need to do a little bit.

"But I think the government have to step in. It’s not the Premier League stopping fans coming back into stadiums, it’s our very own government.”

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