CHAIRMAN Gavin Foxall claims recent cup success and a favourable fixture list mean Newport County AFC will be better off than many of their rivals, but manager Michael Flynn has called on the football authorities to compensate lower league clubs if the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt the season.

English Football League fixtures are on hold until April 3 at the earliest, meaning clubs are denied vital matchday income.

And there is great concern that a further suspension, a decision to play games behind closed doors or even the cancellation of the season could mean some clubs struggle to survive.

“It is very uncertain times for everybody associated with the game,” said Foxall. “It’s unprecedented that we’re in the position that we’re in.

“Certainly a club like us, and a lot of clubs in League One and League Two, we rely heavily on matchday incomes so it’s certainly a challenging time.

“We’ve got four home games left,” he told BBC Radio Wales.

“We would have had one this month [against Colchester United next Saturday] so, to a certain extent, although it is difficult, when I look at the fixtures, we’re probably in a better position than other clubs in our league who would have had more home games at this time and been relying on that revenue.

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“I think the other thing with out club as well at the moment is that we’ve been extremely fortunate with the cup runs that we’ve had over the last couple of seasons and that money will certainly come into play now significantly in helping us through what will be a turbulent time.

“We’ve met as a club board and all of us came to the same conclusion – that we are in a fairly favourable position because of our financial position today.

“A few years ago that might not have been the case.”

It’s that knowledge of how tough life can be in the third and fourth tiers that has led Flynn to call for financial help for those clubs who could run into financial problems over the coming months.

“There’s got to be a contingency plan for lower league clubs because if they’re playing behind closed doors and there is no help, it’s going to put a lot of clubs under pressure financially,” said the Exiles boss.

“I’m sure there’s enough money to cover this.

“One of the decisions they make has got to be in the interest of the lower league clubs. Imagine if two clubs go under while football is postponed. That wouldn’t be right and I’m sure they wouldn’t let that happen.

“I’m almost certain that common sense would prevail and these clubs will be funded.

“I think it’s only fair that they get [recompensed for] what their average gate is. That’s the best way to do it for all parties.”

County are currently set to return to action at home to Grimsby Town on April 4.

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