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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

Alan Burrows in Motherwell rallying cry as he admits the situation could become 'very difficult'

Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows has called for fans to help the club through the coronavirus shutdown, as a lack of matchday income causes clubs across Scotland a headache.

The Steelmen are considered to be one of the best-run clubs in the division as they move toward fan ownership, with an announcement late last year that a £1.5million debt to former owners John Boyle and Les Hutchison has been paid off.

Scottish clubs rely heavily on ticket sales, however, and the Motherwell chief has been open and honest about the challenges going forward.

Burrows said on Clyde Superscorebard: "We're in ok shape at the minute but it only takes a few things to not go the way we think they're going to fall for things to turn very difficult, very quickly.

Fir Park in Motherwell will kick off the weekend (SNS Group)

"And from that point of view you will have seen the Well Society say in a very eloquent statement that they were encouraging people who can, at this particular point, it's important to say we wouldn't ask anyone to do anything they couldn't afford.

"But if people are in a position to join the Well Society - or continue with their monthly contributions or increase their monthly contributions - then that really gives the club some blanket of security if some of the expected income we are hoping to achieve over the next month or two doesn't arrive, then we have some capital to fall back on.

"From our point of view, as a club that is, we are going to be putting season tickets on sale in early April from that we hope fans will get behind that early doors and buy season tickets.

"If that cash comes in then it really, really helps us because obviously there isn't any other income."

It's not yet clear how the shutdown will impact on Premiership clubs, with no indication of when football will be able to resume.

Hearts have asked staff to take a 50 per cent pay cut, while the Kilmarnock fans trust has handed over £50,000 to try and ease the burden on the club.

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