Rovers chief executive Steve Waggott says ‘everything must come in to consideration’ as clubs deal with the financial hit of a football shutdown because of coronavirus.

Matches have been postponed until at least April 30, leaving Rovers’ income streams depleted with no commercial activity or ticketing revenue.

The EFL introduced a £50m relief package that saw broadcast monies brought forward, with Championship clubs receiving around £800,000, with loans of almost £600,000 also on offer for clubs to apply for.

Waggott says that was certainly welcomed, but warned the financial pressure will only intensify on clubs the longer the football blackout continues.

Birmingham City and Leeds United are two clubs that have reportedly asked players to defer their wages during the uncertain period, something Waggott says will come under consideration for all clubs.

However, he feels that will need the support of all governing bodies, including the PFA, with players still under contract, despite not being in action.

The club’s chief executive told the Lancashire Telegraph: “I think as the time and days pass by, everything has to come in to consideration. For the benefit of all, everyone has to consider their position and how they can assist in making sure we can get everyone through it and come out the other end in one piece.

“Players aren't exempt from that, and shouldn’t be exempt from that, but they have contracts, and the PFA will be key, along with the other governing bodies, such as the Premier League, FA and EFL, it’s got to be done across the board.

“As and when a discussion of that nature has to be held everyone in the country is having the same discussion.

“It’s much better if all the governing bodies, as one, in unison, say ‘this is unprecedented times, we all need to get our heads together’, and be looking at not just ourselves but our entire football community, and beyond, to make sure we come through it together.

“Then when normal service resumes people will remember how people assisted each other and will support you going forward.”

The loan available to clubs as part of the EFL relief fund is interest-free, with the television payments having been brought forward in a bid to support clubs through this time.

Rovers remain reliant on owners Venky’s, working under a benefactor model, and Waggott believes Financial Fair Play and Profit and Sustainability rules, that Championship clubs’ finances are regulated by, may need to be relaxed.

“The £50m sounds a lot, but with 71 clubs all with their own challenges, moreso as you go down to the lower levels of the EFL pyramid, it was welcome by all clubs, and they accelerated our TV revenue that was left for March, April, May and June so we got that in one lump sum,” he explained.

“But we now won’t get any more, it’s not a gift, just accelerated payments, and there’s an interest free loan that all clubs can apply for set at different levels.

“In the Championship you can apply for just over £580,000 with an interest free repayment.

“It’s helpful and it will help clubs survive in the short-term, but with the unknown of how long the virus and situation will last for, if that’s elongated, the pressure will become more immense on clubs trying to survive.”

The initial postponement of matches came on March 13, 24 hours before Rovers were due to host Bristol City.

That saw the postponement of three Rovers matches, with five more now shelved with the games scheduled postponed until April 30.

“I think first and foremost as soon as it become clear this was a pandemic and something everyone would have to treat with extreme seriousness, the health and wellbeing of all the employees in the club was paramount to me,” Waggott said of the club’s response.

“We reacted fairly quickly with those who we classified as vulnerable workers, with either a history of ill health or a family member with ill help, they were sent home.

“We have followed very strictly the guidelines in terms of Government advice, social distancing for those who have been coming in to work to do essential maintenance and the financial aspects as well to make sure people were getting paid this month on time and going through the other aspects of the club.

“The suspension of the programme was initially to April 3 and has now been extended, we have no income coming in, commercial activity or ticketing.

“Therefore the cash I’ve got I’ve got to try and pay everyone for as long as possible going forward.

“We’re looking at all the Government schemes and initiatives that are going on, but it changes every day so we have to ensure we are operating the business at a minimalistic level so things like maintenance like the grounds, we’re doing it on a low-key level, but we have to have them ready for if and when normal service resumes, when players are allowed to come back and train full time and then crank up for games.”