Irish League outlook amid Covid crisis: ‘A decade of good work may well have just evaporated’

David Hilditch, the East Antrim DUP MLA who has been a fixture of Carrick Rangers’ administration for decades, said that the good work done in managing to up spectator numbers in recent years may well have “evaporated” thanks to the crisis.

Mr Hilditch, a former chairman and secretary of the club who is currently its safety officer, was speaking to the News Letter after sport had been a major feature of the last week’s coronavirus coverage.

This began when SF sports minister Caral Ni Chuilin last Friday called for “sporting bodies to take my advice and to try to play their events behind closed doors” – even though the rules allow fans to attend.

Her comments (which she said were supported by top officials) came mere hours before a Coleraine/Ballymena game that evening, and were rebutted as “preposterous” by Arlene Foster.

The NI Football League (NIFL) has pledged to “consult” with clubs about how to handle the situation this season (see below).

Carrick today host Larne for an east Antrim league derby – something that would ordinarily draw strong contingents of supporters for both teams.

Instead Carrick’s home ground – which can cope with roughly 2,100 fans on very busy days – will be limited to 400, in agreement with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

Mr Hilditch, a former chairman and secretary of the club who is currently its safety officer, said that most grounds now operate a policy of only selling tickets beforehand, not on the gates.

Asked about the impact on takings, he said: “It’s massively reduced. I’m not involved in the financial things now, but I’d hazard a guess you could be looking at a drop of £10,000 some matches, depending who you’re playing.

“I don’t think we’re going to break even in any matches. You have to have your stewards in place, your medical back-up. There’s quite an outlay before you’d open the turnstile.”

That is all on top of players’ wages, he added.

“The Irish League – NIFL in particular – have done a hell of a job in building the game up here in NI. Attendance over the last number of years have fairly well shot up.

“What we’re looking at the minute is seven months when people haven’t had any football activity. They’ve found something else to do on a Saturday afternoon.

“So 10 years, probably, of hard work has potentially evaporated in seven months. It’s not a good outlook.”

He said the current rules on spectators are at least “very clear”, with each club given a number by their local council which they can admit – with only the SF minister appearing “confused”.

The NI Football League’s position last night was as follows:

“We wish to take a responsible leadership approach to the Covid-19 crisis and will consult with all NIFL Premiership clubs, and relevant authorities, at the earliest opportunity, to review the position on spectators.

“For the avoidance of doubt, games scheduled for this weekend (23/24 October) in the Danske Bank Premiership will continue with spectators in line with stringent protocols.”

It is not clear when such consultation will take place.

READ MORE FROM THE NEWS LETTER:

CLICK HERE: IN FULL: Outspoken anti-lockdown doctor on why she’s quitting council seat

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Editorsports minister appearing “confused”.