Isthmian League Offers Early Kick-Offs To Help Clubs Cope With Increased Energy Bills
The Isthmian League has offered clubs the chance to bring forward Saturday kick-off times in an effort to save on energy costs.
In July, the league's Chairman Nick Robinson wrote to all clubs advising them that “… in order to reduce energy costs, particularly those related to floodlights, they are permitted to bring forward Saturday kick off times so long as both clubs agree.”
Once any decisions have been made between both clubs, the League Office should be informed as early as possible, with the changes publicised to ensure that players, officials and supporters have time to make appropriate plans.
Mr Robinson spoke to ITV News, saying he is “very concerned” that rising energy costs could push some of the league’s clubs to the “brink of liquidation”.
“We’re trying to look at ways that we can help and one of the ways is to say to clubs ‘look when the floodlights are needed don’t use them’.
“If we can help you in that - if everybody can agree - the league will certainly agree and support any decisions made by the clubs. It’s a small piece but as they say every little helps.”
The directive will allow clubs to be able to play weekend fixtures at any time that can be agreed.
Mr Robinson added that while it is a fear of his that league attendances may fall, due to spectators having “less money to spend” this season, he is optimistic that those who follow non-league football will keep coming through the gates: “What I think we might find is that we get an additional income stream from people, particularly abroad, who may be interested in this level of the game.
“Television channels across the globe are always looking for content and who knows what might happen.
“We might pick up somebody who’s prepared to take on our streaming and provide an additional income for the league, which we can then pass onto the clubs.”
Mr Robinson added that the league board are currently discussing other options to help deal with rising energy costs for clubs, but that he could not comment on any details about this at the present.
He finished saying that he would like the government to consider issuing grants to all clubs that use floodlights for addition support.
