AFC Portchester chairman fears promotion hopes are ‘dead and buried’ as coronavirus halts all grassroots football

Paul Kelly has given an insight into the financial implications that the coronavirus pandemic might have on the non-league pyramid.
AFC Portchester chairman Paul Kelly. Picture: Malcolm WellsAFC Portchester chairman Paul Kelly. Picture: Malcolm Wells
AFC Portchester chairman Paul Kelly. Picture: Malcolm Wells

The AFC Portchester chairman is worried clubs could miss out on much-needed sponsorship and revenue beyond this season because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

It was announced by the FA on Monday that all grassroots football would be suspended for the foreseeable future.

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The virtual blanket ban on sport means clubs nationwide may take a massive financial hit.

But for Portchester, who act as a 'community hub' to generate revenue when their ground is vacant, the coronavirus crisis could have far-reaching ramifications.

Kelly has already been informed by four community groups they are going to be suspending bookings at the Crest Finance Stadium for the time being.

But that is not the only financial concern.

Kelly admitted lower league clubs may miss out on sponsorship with local businesses feeling a hit.

‘We don’t know where we are,' he assessed.

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‘As a club, we are in the hub of the community in Portchester.

‘We have a lot of community groups that use our facility in the week when there is no football.

‘Already, four of those community groups have notified us that they are suspended sessions with immediate effect.

‘There’s revenue there that we’ll be missing out on.

‘That obviously pays the bills.

'Hopefully not, but that could be the case (miss out on potential sponsorship).

‘Locally, businesses are going to be hit hard as well.

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‘Whether they’re building firms or whatever, whoever decides to sponsor a club are all going to be hit financially.

‘The last thing they’ll want to be doing is giving money to football clubs like us to progress to the next level.'

The Royals are right in the race to land the Wessex League Premier Division title.

Mick Catlin's third-placed side sit nine points off leaders Alresford with two games in hand.

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But Kelly conceded scrapping the 2019/20 season now looks the most likely outcome.

Although hope remains the campaign can be completed, he fears promotion to the Southern League for the first time will evade Portchester this term.

‘I think it’s dead and buried,’ he rued.

‘We are in a good position, it’s the best position we’ve been in for five years.

‘All the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes from a footballing point of view has gone to waste, really.

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‘It would be absolutely devastating (if the season was null and void).

‘I take everything personally, if anything happens at the club it’s me who it hits the most.

‘Myself and the other committee members have put so much into it.

‘All you want for your football club is to play at the highest level.

‘This season we have proved that we can push on.

‘I still believe we would have been there at the end.'