Homesbook Factoring Caplan

All SPFL Clubs Qualify for Grant

The SPFL Trust today reveals that all 42 SPFL clubs have now successfully applied for a grant from the charity’s Covid-19 Crisis Fund, and payments are being processed.

  • All 42 SPFL clubs have successfully applied for a Covid-19 Crisis Fund grant and Condition of Grant letters have been issued.
  • All clubs have indicated how their wider community will benefit from the grant
  • Grant will shortly be paid out to clubs
  • Every club was eligible to receive a £50,000 grant for support during the Covid-19 crisis following a multimillion-pound donation from James Anderson
  • Aberdeen FC, Celtic FC and Kilmarnock FC will donate their grant to their partner charities – Celtic FC Foundation and Kilmarnock Community Sports Trust 

Each club will receive £50,000, once signed Condition of Grant letters have been returned, with payments now underway. As of last night, £800,000 had been transferred. Payments will continue today as clubs return signed Condition of Grant letters, and issue invoices. 

This new fund was established to support clubs and their communities after James Anderson gifted the SPFL Trust £3,125,000 inclusive of gift aid.

Clubs were able to secure the grant, provided they demonstrate support for the wider community in which they are based. A number of other clubs have directly referenced that some of the funding will support community activity via their own club charities. All have given a clear indication of the way their local community will benefit from the grant.

For many, it will enable the re-opening of stadia across the country, once enabling community programmes to start to plan for face to face delivery, in a bio-secure environment. At the same time, taking this approach will allow many clubs to be able plan for a return to football, which will be vital to their long-term survival.

At least 17 clubs across the SPFL have indicated they intend to purchase Covid-19 testing kit, with the intent to make access to these facilities available to the wider community. In doing so there will, in essence, be a new network of local testing centres at grounds across Scotland.

In addition, clubs will be using facilities to support deep cleaning, the purchase of PPE equipment, signage and markers; some are looking to purchase thermal imaging temperature check equipment.

A small number of lower league clubs also plan to use some of the grant to install in-stadium broadcast systems to enable supporters to watch matches live, when the season starts, on the basis that games may be behind closed doors.