Surrey predicting gloomy future without spectators in 2021: "It would knock us back into the amateur days"

Chief-executive Richard Gould says the sport faces some bleak choices if mass gatherings continue to be banned come next season

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English cricket could be forced to become an amateur format if revenue streams continue to be limited by fans being barred from grounds in 2021.

That is the bleak message from Surrey chief-executive Richard Gould, who has seen the club's turnover reduce by £30 million in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Not since March have fans been able to attend sports event with any regularity, with the government's pilot scheme to return spectators to venues spiked by a nationwide increase in cases of Covid-19.

First-class counties have seen their balance sheet drained of at least £74.5 million, with Surrey among the biggest losers.

The Kia Oval club have seen £30m stripped from the coffers thanks to a loss of matchday revenue and a curtailment of the conference side of the business.

And Gould is predicting a return to the amateur days not seen since the early 1960s if fans continue to be shut out.

Sussex counting the cost of COVID-19 as period of change looms

"Our income relies 90 per cent on people coming into the ground. Whether it is spectators or conferencing events," he told Sky Sports.

"We seen our turnover which should have been £36 million this year reduced by about 70 per cent.

"We would have to completely re-look at the way we run not just our club but sport (if fans do not return in 2021). It would knock us back into the amateur days."

An update over the expected return of fans to sporting and cultural venues is expected on Wednesday (October 13) when Culture Secretary Oliver Downden faces questions from the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee on a number of topics.

The ECB are expecting losses in revenue of £105m-£112m as a result of the pandemic, with the broadcast revenue received this summer described as saving them from "financial oblivion".

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