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Roy MacGregor outlines financial hit caused by Covid-19 at Ross County amid call for supporters to return to stadia


By Alasdair Fraser

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Ross County’s financial hit from Covid-19 is likely to spiral well into seven figures, chairman Roy MacGregor has revealed.

The Scottish Premiership club’s bill for player-testing alone has already topped £250,000, while the recent postponement of Aberdeen’s early New Year visit cost £80,000 in anticipated revenue.

Describing the toll on club finances as “astronomical” since the pandemic began, MacGregor is hoping for Scottish Government moves today to ease restrictions on spectator numbers within SPFL grounds.

The chairman said: “It is quite difficult to put a figure on the overall cost of Covid on the club, but it is substantial. If you take us losing the Aberdeen game on January 2, that alone probably cost us £80,000.

Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor is eager to see restrictions on SPFL supporter numbers eased. Picture: Ken Macpherson
Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor is eager to see restrictions on SPFL supporter numbers eased. Picture: Ken Macpherson

“Aberdeen’s allocation was virtually sold out, we were sold out with hospitality and when we play the game on the Tuesday night on February 2 we will not get those numbers back.

“If I had to put a figure onto what we have lost, it could run into seven figures.

“We’ve seen Aberdeen saying it has cost them over £5 million. For us, you would look at a proportion of that. Every club has been affected.”

MacGregor, who said around a quarter of season ticket holders were still reluctant to attend games through health concerns, added: “I’m hopeful that we will get more supporters back when the top-flight games start. We will just do as much as we can.

“I see a different tone since New Year on how we deal with the Omicron variant. That’s from the national government. There has been a difference between the Scottish government, where we have been a bit behind and a bit more cautious.

“Maybe rightly, but I think there’s a feeling now that lockdowns are not the way to go. Clubs and individuals are maybe saying we are going to have to live with this, and deal with Covid.

“We are better just getting on and doing it.”


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