Premier League clubs’ plans revealed including fan drive-in viewings, stadium cardboard cut-outs and friendlies eyed
PREMIER LEAGUE clubs’ are plotting drive-in match-days, stadium cardboard cut-outs and friendlies in a bid to keep fans engaged should matches be played behind closed doors.
Top-flight teams are scrambling to find a way to keep fans interested – and keep the money rolling in – with ticket revenue seemingly impossible this season.
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While each club devises their own strategy, they will also be aiming to arrange a series of friendlies to get stars used to playing in front of an empty stadium.
With no Premier League football having been played for seven weeks, bosses are worried their players will not only not be match-ready, but also struggle to get used to playing in eerily quiet grounds.
One top-flight coach told the Daily Mail: “You can do all the training in the world but it just doesn’t replicate the realism of a match.”
Football chiefs are hoping to arrange friendlies before any potential season restart in order to ensure their players are fit – and therefore less likely to succumb to injury – as well as mentally ready.
Friendlies are likely to take place between local teams, with Liverpool likely to play regular pre-season opponents Tranmere, while Chelsea could play Brentford, for example.
Premier League chiefs will meet on Friday to discuss a potential return to action as early as June in order to complete the 2019-20 season.
Elsewhere, club bosses are also concerned fans will get bored quickly if football returns behind closed doors, with soulless matches aired on TV.
They’re therefore considering more interactive ways to keep their supporters loyal. But what are the proposed plans?
DRIVE-IN VIEWINGS
DANISH side Midtjylland have come with arguably the most-controversial plan – allowing 2,000 vehicles into their stadium car-park to watch matches projected onto big screens dotted around the ground.
There are obvious health concerns with such a gathering – but if lockdown rules are loosened and they manage to find a way to ensure supporters stay in their cars, this could prove a success.
For instance, fans of US sports such as the NFL regularly enjoy tailgating parties before, during and after matches – enjoying a few beers and a BBQ from the comfort of the stadium car park.
CARDBOARD CUT-OUTS
GERMAN side Borussia Monchengladbach are charging fans £17 – with some of that going to charity – to have their head stuck on cardboard cut-outs and placed in the stadium.
The idea is to make the stadium look full, not only helping the players but also keeping supporters interested.
FAN PICS ON HOARDINGS
ON a similar note, some clubs are considering turning their electronic, LED advertising hoardings into a rolling series of fan pictures.
Supporters can send in their pictures and have it beamed onto the boards around the ground during games.
DIGITAL VIEWING PARTIES
WITH the majority of Europe on lockdown, people are being forced to get creative – and become more digitally-inclined – in order to speak to friends and family.
A number of apps and websites have seen a surge in usage as people desperately attempt to keep in touch.
Digital viewing parties have been held by some cinemas – while friends can arrange big nights in with a synchronised movie night.
Now football clubs are considering a similar option – allowing fans to feel like they are truly all watching the game together.
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PUMP NOISE INTO STADIUMS
THIS is already arguably going on in certain grounds in the country already.
But it could become official in order to make matches sound more like normal rather than a quiet Sunday League kickabout – helping players on the pitch and fans at home feel more engaged.
APP-Y DAYS
NOW more than ever clubs are focusing on their apps, with fans desperate for news and updates during lockdown.
Such things as digital programmes could be sent to fans’ phones, while in-game stats and interactive features could keep fans more engaged than if they are simply watching on TV.