Doncaster Rovers welcome top flight grant with 'cautious optimism' but warn financial issues are not solved

But he has warned that the club’s financial worries will not be resolved entirely by the grant from the Premier League.

Rovers will receive a minimum of £375,000 from the £30million pot made available by the Premier League, as well as being eligible for a share of a further £15million based on lost gate receipt revenues.

Baldwin said the grants will provide much needed support for the club, which has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and the continued lockout of fans.

He said: “We welcome the news that the rescue package between the Premier League and EFL has been agreed and we thank all parties for their efforts.

“It is with cautious optimism that we welcome this package, as it provides much needed support and helps to offset against the vast amount of income we have lost and continue to lose due to the restrictions in place because of Covid-19.”

With fans locked out of the Keepmoat since the start of the season, and no sign of a return due to Doncaster’s Tier 3 status, Baldwin has warned that Rovers remain incredibly vulnerable due to potential requests for refunds from season tickets and commercial partners.

He said: “As a club we are mindful that - until we can get fans back in the stadium- we have potential refund liabilities in excess of £1m due to supporters and commercial partners.

“Those refund liabilities would severely impact our ability to operate should they be realised and therefore we will continue to work with all parties to reduce this possibility and are thankful for the ongoing support, patience and good will we have so far received from our supporters, partners, players, staff and of course our owners.

“Once again, we thank the EFL and the Premier League for agreeing this support package.”

On top of the £30million pot, clubs will also have access to a share of £20million which has been made available on a ‘monitored grant’ basis.

Clubs will apply for funds from that pot based on ‘need’ with a joint EFL and Premier League panel to determine whether they receive a payment.

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