TWTD understands Town are closing in on joining a number of other clubs in putting the vast majority of their off-field staff on furlough.

Despite football having been suspended since Friday 13th March, Town’s off-field staff have continued to work, most of them from home, and have been paid their full wage as normal for March.

However, the Blues are set to follow the likes of Newcastle, Norwich and Tottenham by utilising the Government’s emergency salary scheme which allows staff to claim 80 per cent of their wages up to a maximum of £2,500 per month.

We understand, unlike some of the clubs taking the furlough route, owner Marcus Evans will then pay the remaining 20 per cent to ensure no one is forced to take a wage cut.

Meanwhile, the Premier League and EFL clubs are meeting with the PFA today to discuss a collective deferral of players' wages.

Discussions regarding the financial impact of football’s suspension - currently to April 30th but with the expectation that the date of return will be some while after that - have been ongoing following meetings last week with the deferral among the options.

Championship Birmingham City having asked their players earning in excess of £6,000 to defer 50 per cent of their wages, while the Leeds squad, staff and senior management have voluntarily deferred their salaries to help their off-field staff.

Last week, Town manager Paul Lambert said he and his staff were willing to make a similar move.

Clubs across the board are losing revenue - Town are missing out on income of around £100,000 per home game - and a fortnight ago the EFL released a £50 million package to assist their clubs with sides in League One understood to have received £433,000 made up of an advance in Basic Award payments and interest-free loans.

Furloughing players has also been under discussion. While virtually all players even at League One level earn considerably more than the £2,500 limit, the saving would still be significant, particularly for lower division clubs.

Earlier this morning, the EFL, Premier League, FA and FSA released a joint-statement on the current situation.

It reads: “Covid-19 has presented a hugely challenging and uncertain time for everyone and our thoughts are with all those directly affected by the pandemic. The Government’s message is clear - stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives.

“We are all committed to getting back to playing the game we love - but only when it is safe to do so. Amid the current uncertainty, supporters will understandably have a number of questions relating to the season and the clubs they follow, and there are no quick answers to how and when we will return to what used to be our football normality.""

“The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), the EFL, Premier League and The FA want to reiterate that clubs and their supporters have a vital role to play in supporting the Government’s guidance and ensuring community strength and solidarity. While there is no football, our sport can still play its part.""

“Clubs and supporters have responded magnificently with staff, fans and volunteers supporting those most in need in their local towns and cities.

“Fans can keep up to date with how the EFL and Premier League clubs are providing wide-ranging support for their communities, including the provision of facilities for medical use and accommodation for NHS staff. Clubs are also supporting foodbanks, transporting medicines and food and telephoning the most vulnerable members of society. "

“Many supporters’ groups across the country have also shown just how valuable they are. We have seen official supporters’ trusts raising tens of thousands of pounds in their local communities, donating to local foodbanks, delivering care packages and helping NHS staff.""

“The work of clubs, staff, volunteers and fans is making a difference to those in need. The FSA, EFL, Premier League and The FA encourage all clubs and supporters’ groups to remain in contact during this difficult time and, where possible, support one another in their community efforts.

“We also extend our gratitude to those football supporters who are key workers, and those who have offered their support on a volunteer basis.""

“We urge fans across the country to follow the ongoing Government advice, to provide us all with the best opportunity to keep fans and communities safe.

“It is also important to note that any official communications will come from the Government and football authorities themselves. Please follow our official channels for this information.

“As the situation is regularly changing, the Premier League, EFL and The FA will continue to consult the FSA and keep supporters updated on the progress made as soon as is practically possible. Thank you, once again, for your continued patience, work and support.”

Photo: TWTD

ITFCsince73 added 14:25 - Apr 1 And no blues1. I wouldn't expect any player at the club to earn more than Captain Chambo. He wouldn't allow it.
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midastouch added 14:30 - Apr 1 Credit where credit is due for Evans offering to put up the extra 20% to make up the players wages. Would be nice if some of the higher wage earners (as in the players) offered to take a 20% pay cut to put towards good causes in the area as charities are getting hard hit in these difficult times. This is a time where everybody needs to come together and those that can afford it should be going that extra mile to support those at the bottom of the ladder. That said, I realise some will be doing things on the quiet already and fair play to those, the best charity is always where donations are given on the quiet without shouting about it from the rooftops. This isn't a moan as the the club at all, as ITFC can take a lot of credit in how they've responded to the Coronavirus situation. And the players have also got involved such as by ringing round some of the elder supporters to offer them encouragement. Well done to all at ITFC from top to bottom for your efforts during this extremely turbulent time. And any of those within the club that have already offered up recent sizeable charitable donations (perhaps on the quiet) to good causes during this profoundly challenging times, I especially salute you. Keep up the great work. And to all my fellow posters, please stay safe and sane! :-)

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midastouch added 14:32 - Apr 1 I meant above credit where credit is due for Evans offering to put up the extra 20% to make up the STAFF wages rather than the PLAYERS. Slight typo there.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 15:31 - Apr 1 So multi-millionaire Evans to chip-in 20% and nhs, care, shop workers and other learners to carry on paying tax to cover the 80% - come the revolution comrades.
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ITFCsince73 added 15:41 - Apr 1 That seems very unfair Tractor. Although it appears the club are looking to bridge that gap, by still taking payments off season ticket holders. And still selling tickets for matches that wont happen. While still keeping playing staff on full pay.
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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 17:44 - Apr 1 For all the grief we've given Evans, when the sh*t hit the fan he stepped up and went above and beyond. Making up for salary gaps is pure class.
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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 18:13 - Apr 1 Apparently ITFCsince73 doesn't feel Town's off-field staff should receive help. Evans is doing a good thing and you're still downvoting everyone.
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Ipswichbusiness added 19:06 - Apr 1 ITFCsince1973, I would be grateful if you would explain why it is that you think that players are self-employed. Just because their contract of employment is time limited does not make them self-employed. All employees have contracts of employment and the employer is bound to give them a statement of its main terms within 90 days of the employment commencing. The principal difference between someone who is employed or self-employed is the level of control which the employer has over the worker's activities. If they were genuinely self-employed then normally they would be able to carry out their duties as they see fit, work for other employers and send substitutes to do their work for them. I would refer you to the Judgment in the Pimlico Plumbers case.

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ITFCsince73 added 19:08 - Apr 1 The billionaire off shore tax dodger. Now wants help from the British tax payer. No he's not doing a good thing Phoenix. I'm a British tax payer. And I think these billionaire football club owners are taking the right p##s.
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Terry_Nutkins added 19:32 - Apr 1 Well said Arnie M.
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ITFCsince73 added 20:05 - Apr 1 No problem ipswich. There's a league 1 club with players wanting to apply for emergency payments.
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ITFCsince73 added 20:19 - Apr 1 It makes no difference ipswich, if employed or self. They will demand full payment each month. And surly a company owned by a British tax dodger, with yearly losses at the club, that don't make much operational sense. A club owner who Makes the country's top 100 rich list, year on year. Shouldn't qualify for any support off the hard working British tax payer. Me being one of them.

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ITFCsince73 added 20:38 - Apr 1 How did you get to your “Apparently” conclusion Phoenix. Sounds like words from a 12 yr old.
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groundhog added 22:40 - Apr 1 This sucks beyond belief. There's so much money in football that us the tax payers should not be bailing it out. At the end of the day this is not free money and we will end up having to pay increased taxes in the future for all these hand outs and you can be sure it will be everyday working people who earn in a year what footballers earn in a week who will bare the brunt of this.

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oldtimer3 added 07:15 - Apr 2 My wife has just left home. She is a.nurse at Ipswich. Hospital. These rich football clubs need to understand the ordinary folk doing a dam site more than them. Come on rich premier league clubs do something. How can they expect us to pick up their wage bills in taxes to us in the future.
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juniorblue added 09:17 - Apr 2 I believe this article is referring to the off field staff. I think it is a good gesture of Evans to pay the remaining 20% as these staff will not be earning high salaries.
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Razor added 10:44 - Apr 2 First I hope everybody will be clapping again at 8pm tonight. Furlough----why are we using this stupid Americanism---it SO SO annoying. I first heard this on Bilko years ago---what we do over hear guys is put people on LEAVE. Stupid I know but it is the little things etc
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ITFCsince73 added 12:56 - Apr 2 Old timer. Please give your wife the hugest kiss from all on TWTD. You are married to a true angel.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 12:52 - Apr 3 Razor, the Americans nearly adopted German as their language this is where it originates "Verlaub" - "not a lot of people know that"
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