Portsmouth's League One rivals 'on the brink' of financial collapse amid coronavirus pandemic

Clubs across the country have been hit hard by the lack of match-day revenue throughout the 2020-21 season.

Supporters continue to be locked out of stadia during the third national lockdown.

Pompey are losing £700,000 per month but are being supported by chairman Michael Eisner through the tough times.

However, Swindon owner Lee Power has told of the impact the pandemic is having on his club.

The Robins sold Diallang Jaiyesimi to Charlton on January transfer deadline day, which will keep the club afloat until the end of March.

But after investing heavily to get Swindon promoted from League Two last season, Power has concerns where funds will come from beyond next month.

He told BBC Radio Wiltshire: ‘Every month I have to worry about funding or finding funding to get the wages paid and that’s where we are.

‘I’m surprised we’ve got this far if I’m honest, with no supporters and no income since March.

‘It’s getting tougher and tougher and that’s where we are.

‘It’s week-by-week, month-by-month. The EFL has been great and they’ve helped as much as they can and we had a sell-on (fee0 in the summer from (Jayden) Bogle that helped.

‘We’re no different to any other club. It’s just a ridiculously hard position that we’re in.

‘I funded the club and invested very heavily in the club for promotion last year to make sure the team got out of League Two, that was me, no one else.

‘At that time, I believed that we’d be in league one, the crowds would be back and we’d be back to normal and that hasn’t happened.

‘It’s been a double whammy, money and funds we used to get us up aren’t there now to keep us alive so we’re trying our best but we’re on the rockface, hanging over the edge.

‘To be honest, the last thing we want to do is sell our best players, especially with the position that we’re in.

‘But like I’ve said and stated since March last year, we’re in a national pandemic, we’ve had no supporters in the stadium, it’s been a fight morning noon and night to keep this club afloat.’

Swindon travel to Fratton Park on Tuesday. Ex-Pompey skipper Brett Pitman will return after leaving in the summer.

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