Luton striker Danny Hylton thinks football will be dire trouble if supporters are not allowed back into stadiums.
Like all clubs, the Hatters played out the final nine games of last term in empty stadia as the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic meant games had to be played behind closed doors.
It meant Town achieved their remarkable Championship Great Escape in front of empty seats at Kenilworth Road.
And next season, which is due to start on the weekend of September 12 will continue in the same vein, with October earmarked as a potential date for a limited number of fans to return to watch games.
But the longer it goes on, the implications for football clubs are dire, particularly outside of the Premier League where match-day revenue accounts for the majority of income.
Hylton said: “I don’t know too much about the financial side, but I don’t see how football can survive without fans.
“When you play football, you want the fans there and they’re a huge part in that and, if there was any doubt in that, this pandemic has shown how important fans are to sport and to football.
“The atmosphere and what they create on a game day is fantastic and there’s a big hole missing, so the quicker we get them back, the better.
“I’m sure it will give us a boost, having fans travel home and away in their numbers, as they do. It will be fantastic for us on the pitch, and be a great help.
“I know there are talks of (a) possible October (return), and letting 30 per cent back in, so let’s just wait and see, but I hope they’re back sooner, rather than later.”
When Covid-19 struck, Luton were languishing at the foot of the Championship, effectively seven points adrift of safety, due to the worst goal difference in the division, and when football returned few would’ve given them much hope of avoiding relegation.
Not least because their first three games were against promotion-chasing Preston, Swansea and Leeds.
But Town took five points from that opening trio of games and there’s a case to say, particularly at the Liberty Stadium and Elland Road, that empty seats benefitted Hylton and co.
The striker said: “I think in some games it helped us a little bit. When you travel away to Leeds, normally it’s 30-40,000 fans there and it’s quite intimidating.
“Leeds’ form was terrific, after the pandemic (struck) and we came back and they obviously got promoted, but we went there and there were no fans, so I think it helped us a little bit.
“We were fully motivated, we had everything to play for and we knew we had to pick up results to stay in the league, but for some teams, if you’re safe and you’ve got no fans, it might take a few per cent out of your game, with no fans screaming at you.
“I think it might’ve helped us a bit, away from home, but it would be nice to have fans back at Kenilworth Road. I’ve missed playing in front of a packed Kenilworth Road and as soon as they come back it’ll be a like a 12th man for us, on match days.”
New signing Jordan Clark is also hoping his Hatters career can be played out in front of fans sooner, rather than later. The midfielder said: “Hopefully October time has been mentioned but the sooner the better. If they can get back down at Kenilworth Road again and get the place rocking.
“I think it was shame for the lads, how last season finished ,because they did unbelievably and it would have been unbelievable for the fans to see that Great Escape, which is some achievement. I think the crowd would’ve absolutely loved it and been a special occasion for them.”
Like Hylton, midfielder Glen Rea penned a new contract extension to remain a Hatter and talking to the club’s website about the league run-in without supporters, he said: “It’s a crazy time, but I know they were watching at home, and I’m sure there were celebrations going on back at home – but it’s been tough not having them at the grounds, including the away games.
“At the Kenny they are unbelievable, but away they are so important too, so it’s been tough not having them. Hopefully this coming season, things might change and they’ll be allowed back, but it has been sad not having them in the ground.
“They are a great bunch and Luton is just a great place to be. Everything about the club is unbelievable.”
