ESP’s Posh columnist Phil Adlam rounds off the year with his view from Peterborough United…
2020 is drawing to a close and I think I speak for everyone when I say, thank goodness for that. Hopefully, there is light at the end of the tunnel because we have all been affected by Covid-19 in one way or another.
As a football club, 2020 has been a challenge. From missing out on the chance to finish the job we started in terms of a promotion challenge due to PPG, to playing without fans and losing up to £3 million in revenue from lack of crowds, commercial revenue, concert postponements and more, credit must go to the co-owners for keeping the club afloat.
While it is a miracle that no clubs have gone to the wall since Macclesfield, I still believe that will change before the summer of 2021. A bailout may have helped somewhat, but in monetary terms, it doesn’t come close to what was required or needed by all EFL clubs.
Posh supporters return to the Weston Homes Stadium for the match against Rochdale
Away from the doom and gloom, it was heartening to see some fans return for a couple of games during December. The club has worked extremely hard making the Weston Homes Stadium a safe place to watch football and we believe those that attended will feel that their safety was not compromised at any point.
Yes, there were things to learn, but we are very much learning on our feet. We hope that as we move into 2021, we can return to some form of normality, but you just don’t know. Predicting the future is very much like predicting a 2p machine, there are so many things that can alter the path of our destiny.
Posh supporters return to the Weston Homes Stadium for the match against Rochdale
Covid-19 has taken loved ones, it has hospitalised others, some people have been hit hard and some have got away with it lightly. However it has affected you, I hope and pray that you can look forward to the New Year with optimism.
And however you’re feeling, please do talk to people, let them know how you’re coping, because ignoring it and bottling it up can have devastating consequences.
However you’re spending Christmas and the New Year, please stay safe.
Phil
Photos: www.theposh.com