As a new day came upon us amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many were to hear the news regarding Welsh side Rhyl FC.
With such unprecedented times, comes such difficult scenarios as the 2-time Welsh Premier League Champions were forced to begin the winding-up process due to crippling financial difficulties stemming from COVID-19.
Coronavirus and Club Bankruptcy: The Now Extinct European Sides
Club Set to Close
Founded in 1878 a whopping 141 years ago, Rhyl enjoyed their glory years throughout the noughties winning titles in 2004 & 2009.
Gaining entry to the Champions League Qualification stages, they faced sides such as Partizan Belgrade & Skonto FC from Latvia.
However, as stated the financial pressures have become too much and Rhyl will cease to exist citing the ‘’unwillingness of the ground’s owner to consider either a long lease or sale on market terms’’, and of course, ‘’no income prospects’’ due to the league’s suspension.
Desperate times call for desperate measures and a Go-Fund-Me has been set up by supporters to try to save their beloved club.
Rhyl is Not the First Team to Go Under
However, the first club fallen victim to the horrific coronavirus was, in fact, Belgium’s Sporting Lokeren.
Another fantastic club with European pedigree, Lokeren most notably pipped English side Hull City to a Europa League place in 2014.
Unfortunately, on April 20, 2020, the Belgian 2nd division outfit had officially dissolved, similarly citing no possible income as the main factor, due to their inability to find an investor.
Such a horrendous outcome for any club, Lokeren’s options are slim, but the possibility of merging with 5th Divison side K.F.C. V.W. Hamme is on the cards.
Club’s are Struggling Each Day
With football league’s worldwide suspended until further notice, each day with no income provides many problems for club sides around the globe.
The paying off wages whether it be staff or players, ground maintenance, rent, the list goes on.
St Patricks’ Athletic from the League of Ireland has just announced their decision to lay-off all staff and players, as we see another historic club facing the possibility of extinction.
The club has stated, “However, it is impossible for us to continue to do this when it is now uncertain that football, and our budgeted income stream, will resume at any time this year…. It would be imprudent for us to attempt to do so and would jeopardise the survival of our club… We cannot take that chance.”
With the possibility of mass gatherings being cancelled for the foreseeable future due to the coronavirus, it is no doubt that clubs will be in trouble, and it really goes to show how football without fans is nothing. Support your local side.
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