Millwall chief executive: I don’t want to over rely on owner John Berylson
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
Millwall chief executive Steve Kavanagh says he does not want to “over rely” on owner John Berylson during the coronavirus crisis.
Championship sides have received their next “award payment” of £800,000 from the EFL to try and avert some of the financial issues which have emerged with the UK taking drastic measures to limit the spread of the virus.
And Kavanagh is one of those on the front line in terms of trying to deal with the headaches that occur from a lack of gate receipts.
The EFL and Premier League have both cancelled any fixtures until at least April 30.
Kavanagh said: “John has been here 14 years. He has been an unbelievable chairman – and still is. Without John I don’t know where we’d be.
“What I don’t want to do is have to over rely on John.
“I want John to be my last resort. You’ve got to make sure you run a business and keep it going without having to rely on owners of clubs – but that’s impossible. John understands that.
“We are doing everything we can, making sure we are being fair to fans and to him.
“But it is right as CEO of the club that I do everything I can to exhaust all avenues available to me before I go to John cap in hand and say: ‘I need a bail out’. I don’t want to do that. None of us know how long this is going on for and how this will play out.
“John and I are both confident that Millwall will be in a strong position when we see light at the end of the tunnel. We want to be ready to carry on and progress Millwall forward.
“People have supported us through purchases. Buying season tickets helps us try and protect everything that is important to this club and our fans. I do understand it is extremely uncertain times for some people and it’s going to be difficult. I get that – I’m seeing that myself with my family and friends.
“We also want to try and support our community. We will look to support our core local businesses around us as well.”
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Today I got my renewal form today to renew my season ticket I went up to your ticket office I found it closed. On your web it was saying your ticket office was open today and your security guard said to me I was the 8th person there to sort out my season ticket. When is your ticket office going to be opening because people are trying to sort there season in person at your ticket office then doing online. People like me to see a person face to face to renew there season ticket in person yoursenicely Giovanni Lucia
If you made the online club shop decent, with better merch and have half the stock in that is advertised I’m sure many would happily buy things. As a supporter I want to spend my money but the club shop is rubbish at best sorry to say.