Do they know what they are getting themselves into? A question of foresight in the battle for promotion to the Championship: Liam Hoden column

And it seems increasingly likely places will be opened up for as many as possible who can lay claim on a seat - simply to ensure the feast takes place at all.

The 23 clubs in the division have reached deadlock over how to resolve the 2019/20 season in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the shutdown of the game it caused.

A band of six clubs, with support from a handful of others, blocked attempts to cancel the remainder of the campaign - all certain they would have been involved in the promotion race had the season been allowed to play out.

And now there is a genuine possibility we could see an expanded play-off campaign to encompass all of these clubs - as well as Doncaster Rovers, who have adopted a wait and see approach throughout discussions.

There is merit in the idea. The congested nature of the top end of the division means it would be somewhat unfair if some made it into the play-offs while others currently on the same number of points did not.

But it is an idea driven by self-interest alone. Not any measure of sporting merit.

The real question is, have any of these scrambling clubs considered what they are scrambling for?

Entering the Championship next season will be far from normal. The typically harsh step from tier three to tier two is almost guaranteed to be less inviting - whenever indeed the campaign does begin.

The difference in prize money between the two divisions is at least £6.5m.

But how far will that money go in the most strange of times for the game and society as a whole?

There is a distinct possibility that at least half of next season will be played without supporters present in stadiums. Maybe even the entirety of the campaign.

Matchday revenue is the biggest source of income for clubs in the EFL - and winning promotion is the best way to increase that revenue stream.

But clubs at every level will not have access to that for a long time due to Covid-19, while income from streaming matches online will not come close to covering the shortfall.

And it is a shortfall that will only increase when the matter of refunding tickets already purchased comes into play.

The impact on finances goes beyond the reduced cash being added to the coffers. More money will be coming out.

Even if a club approached putting a squad together for the Championship challenge in as conservative a manner as possible, they would be paying out more money than they are now.

Even ‘going with what they’ve got’ would likely involve promotion clauses within contracts to guarantee pay rises clubs may not have been otherwise willing to hand out, all things considered.

Football finances are going to be stretched like never before over the next year, if not even longer. Promotion puts more strain on purse strings, particularly if clubs are not prepared.

So while a small group of clubs scramble for whatever they can get, paying little mind to those who are desperate to end the campaign now in a bid to ensure they have a future with each passing day putting them further into the red, how much real foresight has been shown?

Will it all be worth it? Or will it be a case of be careful watch you wish for?

We are in a situation of get promoted at all cost. But what will the true cost really be?

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