Curle calls for 'contingency plans' so clubs can extend player contracts

Cobblers boss Keith Curle has called for 'contingency plans' to be put in place so clubs are able to extend player contracts on a short-term basis this summer.

A minimum six-week postponement of the football season, caused by the coronavirus outbreak, has thrown up a whole number of logistical problems, chief among which is what happens to players who are out of contract at the end of June.

Leagues one and two are littered with players on short-term deals and it's no exception at Northampton with the likes of Sam Hoskins, David Cornell and Jordan Turnbull out of contract this summer.

If the season does eventually resume, it's likely to run into July and beyond, raising questions over how clubs can retain their players without taking another financial hit.

"It's a difficult situation because we've players and staff whose contracts have end dates in June so that's creating a level of uncertainty," admitted Curle.

"Hopefully we can get the season wrapped up by the end of June but, if not, contingency plans will have to be put in place to extend players contracts for another month.

"That'll be another financial cost to the football club and more money will go out but if it means we get an end to the season, then so be it.

"We need and we want to get back playing football because this is our job and this is the industry we're in but we're governed by the authorities and also the government.

"They make decisions and we have to abide by that and stick to the guidelines. There are certain things we can't do and certain things we can do and at the minute we can't play football matches."

Curle also echoed Kelvin Thomas' comments regarding Cobblers' financial position in these uncertain times, adding: "One of the remits back when I came into the football club was to show good housekeeping and the football department and the manager had to buy into that.

"It was important to understand where we were at, where we needed to get to and where, potentially, we wanted to go.

"I came into the job with my eyes wide open because I knew the guidelines of what we're going to be working with.

"But the starting point was where we needed to go financially and what the aspirations were within those guidelines as well.

"There has been a reduction in the outlay from the football department and a reduction in the budget but I knew that when I first came in and in my mind we've shown very good housekeeping this year."