Seems to be the only sensible way forward. Without crowds Championship teams will be spending more than they're pulling in to run the competition. With the exception of a couple of teams who'd invested heavily to get promotion this year I'd imagine most of the clubs welcome the decision.
Competition in the Autumn aligns with government plans to get crowds back in, the stadium holds what about 13.5k?
We averaged 4,300 last season apparently, as a result of some bumper crowds obviously, that's about 32% of the capacity of the four stands. NRL are currently running at up to 25% which would be 3,375, could we function on that with the current contract commitments we have? A two/three month competition might get you 6 home games. Assume a short off season and then back into in Feb 2021 for a normal season. It might be workable to have a Autumn series, in any case the governments furlough scheme will be finishing then so we might have no choice but to try and stage games to pull money in!
Of course if games are played they can reduce the possible refunds for ST holders.
It may also be a good idea to ask the players for their views.
If actual work forms a major part of their family income that job may have disappeared and their contract income becomes vital.
I wont be claiming any anyway, depends who wants to be pernickety .
The club could offer season ticket holders free entry to the new competition using the season ticket. If fans then still wanted a refund it would be a partial refund. For example if its 8 home games then take that off the refund. Give fans the choice, I would be happy to use my season ticket to gain entry to these games. Some may be worried about attending so not want to come and some may not want a refund at all.
What I think is important is that the club doesn't have to get a loan to pay fans back, if people do want a refund if they go for a discount voucher for next season, minus the games we did play, it won't help with next seasons playing budget, but it would be better than having to issue refunds this year. Obviously some people may be in the position where a full refund this year is the only option due to unemployment and that is totally understandable.
Give all season ticket holders who opt out of a refund free entry to the first Challenge Cup game & a £20 voucher to spend in the shop before Christmas to soften the blow.
I don’t think there’ll be many, but should anyone need that money back in no way should they be judged. Everyone’s circumstances are different, particularly at this time.
There will inevitably be fans, and maybe players don't forget, who will be hit by the likely unemployment after the Covid/Brexit mess and nobody in their right mind would object to refunds etc for people in that situation.
However, the club, our club, is not over blessed with funds and I would hope that those fans who are able will be their generous selves where they can. Our recent history of fund raising was great to see and should give us hope in our present predicament.
Proposed East and West Conferences, 7 games, top 2 in each go to a semi final and final, all contingent on a 16 team entry.
Depends who plays, we may have a decent chance of being Top 2 in the Western Conference and making some money, but I am not desperate to see us play in this comp if it isn't financially worthwhile.
Challenge cup to be re-drawn. Cant compete with pandemic and RL
Yes, but if it’s only the 10 SL sides that take part, it means 4 clubs will have to play for a place in the quarter finals, but the other 6 clubs will get byes. Unlucky for the teams that have to play the extra match.