sport news EFL clubs are fearing a 'catastrophic' winter with soaring energy costs and ... trends now EFL clubs are fearing a 'catastrophic' winter with soaring energy costs and World Cup football on TV as they face yet another crisis after barely surviving the Covid-19 pandemic... as Shrewsbury Town CEO reveals bills are set to DOUBLE League One and League Two clubs face a tough winter with soaring energy costs Power bills at Shrewsbury are projected to increase from £100,000 to £200,000 The club lost an estimated £2.5million in the two-and-a-half years during Covid CEO Brian Caldwell suspects the idea of midday kick-offs is not the solution By Matt Barlow for the Daily Mail Published: 22:30 BST, 22 September 2022 | Updated: 11:20 BST, 23 September 2022 1 Viewcomments Clubs in League One and Two fear a 'catastrophic' winter in store as soaring energy costs combine with World Cup football on TV and punish them before their finances start to recover from the pandemic. 'I don't know how some clubs survived Covid and now there's another crisis coming with the increasing utility bills,' Shrewsbury Town's CEO Brian Caldwell told Sportsmail. 'Increasing costs are a worry. Our power bill is probably going to double, that's quiet frightening and the same problems are affecting supporters. 'What if a football ticket becomes a luxury some can't afford? What if they decide to save £22 on a match ticket? 'When the increased energy costs kick in, it will be October and November, the World Cup will be starting and there will be three or four games a day live on television. 'Are they going to want to come out and watch Shrewsbury three times a month? That would be catastrophic for the clubs in Leagues One and Two where match-day income can represent 40-50 per cent of turnover. Clubs in League One and Two fear a 'catastrophic' winter in store with soaring energy costs There is also fears that the 2022 World Cup being on TV everyday could affect club's crowds 'Football is awash with money at the top but further down clubs are on their knees going from one crisis to another.' League One club Shrewsbury Town lost an estimated £2.5million in the two-and-a-half years since the first lockdown. The conferencing arm of the business at the stadium, which did account for 20 per cent of turnover, is still nowhere near pre-pandemic levels. Power bills are projected to increase this season from £80,000-£100,000 a year to £160,000-£200,000 a year and Caldwell suspects the idea of bringing kick-offs forward to midday is not the solution in the EFL. Shrewsbury Town CEO Brian Caldwell revealed the power bills look set to double in cost Early kick-offs will mean more overnight travel at a time when hoteliers are passing on their increased costs to their customers. One night in a hotel for Shrewsbury's squad would typically cost £2,000 to £3,000 last season but now costs more than £4,000, and up to £6,000 in London. 'Yes we'd save on power but we'd be robbing Peter to pay Paul,' said Caldwell. The most obvious savings can be made on the playing budget but clubs are also trying to stave off the threat of relegation, because the central funding falls by £500,000 to about £1m with a drop from League One to League Two. It almost disappears with a drop into the National League. It is a bleak outlook for many clubs in the EFL with the only quick solution in the shape of more funding packages from the Premier League and help from the Government. EFL clubs will meet on Thursday when it is sure to feature high on the agenda. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility