Peterborough United chairman fears 30% of lower division clubs could fall into administration if the right level of financial support isn’t made available

MacAnthony went on to talkSPORT today (March 19) to discuss the impact of the English Football League’s (EFL) £50 million short-term relief package for their 72 member clubs.

That figure will be split into immediate payments for the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign and an interest-free loan facility.

The BBC have seen the letter sent to clubs on the back of the announcemen, and report that the ‘basic award payment’ due to Posh and their rivals comes in at £252,200.

The basic award payment is a flat figure for all clubs in the division, staggered over the course of the season.

This is being advanced immediately to help with any short-term cashflow issues.

The letter also states that Posh and other clubs in League One will, should they choose, be able to borrow up to £182,800 from the loan facility.

Posh are also set to benefit from the EFL futures fund.

According to the BBC, the EFL have told clubs a pot of £1million will be used to reward clubs who have fielded players below the age of 21 who qualify to play for England (or Wales, in the case of Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Newport County).

Like the basic award payment, the letter states these payments will be distributed immediately rather than at the end of the season.

MacAnthony said: “It’s a great start, but it hasn’t yet gone far enough and clubs might go the wall if that doesn’t change.

“It’s brilliant of the EFL to act so quickly and with so much integrity, but more has to come.

“We have already missed out on £150k from two home matches one of which would have been televised and we have had to cancel events like the Harry Redknapp evening which would have netted us another £50k.

“We don’t want to have to lay off any non-playing staff, but we also have to make sure we pay our bills at a time when we don’t have any football income.

“If the lower division clubs don’t get the right level of support I can see 30% of them falling into administration. That’s why the owners have to stick together, stay aggressive and make sure we support each other tyhe best way we can.

“Fans will lose hope if the season doesn’t get back on track and they will stop buying season tickets. Happily that hasn’t been the case at Posh and I am grateful to our fans for that.”

Earlier this week Posh reported a 43% increase year-on-year on season tickets for the 2020-21 season.