Plenty of Premier League clubs have come under fire this week for announcing their intention to furlough staff members. Tottenham Hotspur, in particular, were slated as players remain on their astronomical wages but non-playing staff must go without 20% of theirs. In the Championship, though, it’s a slightly different story. While money may be no object for many in the top-flight, bank accounts are tighter in the second-tier and clubs need to pay more attention to their finances.
Here are the latest updates from several Championship clubs on what they are doing throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.
Championship Coronavirus Update
Brentford
A report from John Cross of The Mirror says that Brentford are set to agree a deal with their players that will put all of them on a maximum of £5,000 per week.
It is believed that they have become the first club in the league to agree pay cuts as discussions between the EFL and the PFA continue about wage deferrals.
Brentford owner Matthew Benham, who also owns Danish side FC Midtjylland, made his money in the betting industry, which has been hit hard due to there being no live sport.
Huddersfield Town
Board members at strugglers Huddersfield Town as well as head of football operations David Webb will take salary deferrals for two months, according to BBC Sport.
It’s part of a plan to ensure that all staff receive their full pay during the EFL suspension, and the decision does not include manager Danny Cowley and the players, who remain in discussions with the LMA and the PFA respectively.
Chief executive Mark Devlin said: “All organisations – not just football clubs – will have tough decisions to make down the line, and we will be no different. Every decision we take will be in the best interests of Huddersfield Town.
“Thankfully we are in a position to top up their wages to the full 100%.”
The Terriers are still receiving parachute payments following their relegation from the Premier League in 2018/19.
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday have followed a number of clubs in placing non-playing staff on furlough leave, while owner Dejphon Chansiri has promised to top up the 20% difference.
A report from Alex Miller of the Sheffield Star says that 37% of Wednesday’s income comes from matchday, hence the club are still seeking to defer wages.
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough have become the latest North East team to announce that they will be furloughing non-playing staff, along with Newcastle United and Sunderland.
The Hartlepool Mail’s Richard Mennear says that it will not impact the first-team squad, manager Jonathan Woodgate or his coaching staff.
Swansea City
Swansea City manager Steve Cooper and chairman Trevor Birch have volunteered to take significant wage deferrals, according to David Byrom of the Bristol Post. This comes after the majority of non-playing staff were placed on furlough leave.
Those staff members on zero-hours contracts will receive their full average pay based on their monthly earnings this year.
Cooper said: “Everyone has to pull together during these difficult times in the hope that we can come through it as unscathed as possible.
“This football club is so important to the supporters and the city, and the fact that I am taking a wage deferral is the least I can do.”
Main Photo
