• Luke has joined with Plymouth Argyle’s management in calling for a plan support for football clubs in the EFL
• He has written to Oliver Dowden MP, the Culture Secretary, pressing him for action to support clubs like Argyle

Luke Pollard MP said:

“As an Argyle fan I want to see our club do well. The virus means that games are being played in empty stadiums and I am keen to see fans return to Home Park very soon.

 

“Plymouth Argyle rely on match day revenue to keep the club going and with the end of furlough fast approaching we need to see a proper plan from Government about how community clubs like our’s will be helped so they can stay in business.

 

“Ministers have spent a lot of time focussing on getting the Premiership back on TV but not enough, in my view, in helping clubs outside the Premiership. The key to getting football fans back in the grounds is to control the virus and get a working testing and tracing system.

 

“With the virus spreading faster it is even more important that the well-publicised problems with testing are addressed quickly, and support provided to clubs so they can remain afloat. I am worried that without a clear plan and support we will see many football clubs go bust and communities will lose their local club. That simply cannot happen in Plymouth and that’s why I’ve joined Argyle in pressing Ministers for action.

 

“Keeping people safe has to be the top priority but that doesn’t mean we cannot also press to keep football clubs in business.”