It’s well known that the COVID-19 pandemic that began to rake its way through sport and rugby league at the beginning of 2020 has had lasting repercussions for almost all concerned.
Whether it’s been the lack of crowds generating revenue or increased costs to deal with health and safety surrounding COVID concerns, clubs have had to shell out more for less.
For St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus, his honesty has revealed that the Lancashire club are in debt, but that Saints will be able to manage the problems – as long as normality is resumed sooner rather than later.
“The more successful you are, the more revenue you generate at every level,” McManus told the Saints TV podcast.
“We’ve been very open about it, but income has been lacking over the last two years – that’s been painfully obvious.
“Most games have been played in empty stadia and obviously we did get limited crowds in some games this season and financial damage has been done.
“We’ve had to go into a deal of debt but we are well positioned as a club to deal with the problems as long as the problems don’t continue in the future.
“We need to get back in front of full crowds and get our fan level back to pre-COVID levels.”
