Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson says the Staggies cannot rely solely on the financial backing of chairman Roy MacGregor to see them through the coronavirus crisis.
MacGregor last week warned the struggles to generate income will not go away once football returns from its shutdown, having estimated that social distancing could limit the capacity of Victoria Park to 480.
The Staggies chairman has also warned of a serious possibility hospitality and conferencing could be dropped next season, estimating the club’s budget could be reduced by 30%.
The Dingwall club are holding off selling season tickets for next season, and have launched the Staggies Army loyalty scheme in an effort to remain connected with supporters.
Ferguson has called on everyone attached to the Staggies to play their part in seeing them through the challenging period.
Ferguson said: “We feel this is a situation where we’re in the trenches together. County as a club will come out of this on the other side, but we’ll not come out of it with just Roy driving the bus.
“We need to come out of it with Roy, his staff, supporters who attend games, supporters who don’t attend games all behind it. People, especially in times like this, feel we’re all in it together – we will get through this.”
Ferguson and fellow co-manager Stuart Kettlewell recently phoned all Staggies’ season ticket holders over the age of 65 in an effort to reach out to their supporters who are most vulnerable during the pandemic.
Ferguson says that drove much of the appetite for the Staggies Army initiative, adding: “What struck me phoning around is people want to contribute.
“They were asking how could they help us, rather than the other way around.
“We’ve pitched it to the individual because we understand everyone’s circumstances are completely different.
“But whether you’re a silver member, a platinum member or whatever, your name is going to go on this jersey.
“You’re part of this Staggies Army, whether it is £10 a month or £40.
“The vibe we got is people want to be part of something and this is the way we feel it can be done.”
