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Mark Ashton has outlined the rationale behind the wave of financial measures that have been introduced at Bristol City this week to help the club battle the financial impact of coronavirus.

City's players have agreed to defer a percentage of their wages for the next three months, confirmed at 30 per cent by Steve Lansdown, while staff - including Ashton and head coach Lee Johnson - have accepted a voluntary reduction of 20 per cent, and some non-playing staff are be furloughed under the government's Job Retention Scheme.

Ashton also offered a small insight into the changing landscape of professional football, as clubs prepare for when the outbreak of Covid-19 is under greater control and some normality returns to daily life.

The age of Championship clubs making multi-million pound transfers and offering wages in line with some Premier League clubs will be over, at least in the short-term.

"These are challenging and difficult times and I’ve been overwhelmed by the care everyone has had for their team-mates and colleagues," Ashton said.

"I have always said that central to our business is our first-class people and their health and well-being is paramount.

"Lee and I have spoken to every player and also to many staff affected and we have been impressed with how understanding they have been and the recognition that we are all in this difficult situation together.

"The coronavirus pandemic means that, along with millions of other businesses around the world, we find ourselves living in unusual and uncertain circumstances.

"But we believe these measures, taken in conjunction with other areas of Bristol Sport, will safeguard our financial stability and help us come through this period in the best possible position for when football resumes.

"Without doubt, next season will be one of austerity for everyone but I believe that Bristol City’s principles of sustainability through prudent financial management will see us through."

A number of Championship, League One and League Two clubs are in a perilous financial position due to the massive loss of revenues caused by the shutdown on March 13.

The Mirror reported on Monday that one Premier League club is losing £9m a week as income generated from matchday tickets, TV broadcast money, sponsorship and commercial has dried up.

The accounts for the financial year ending 2019, revealed a staggering lack of sustainability in the wage bills of many clubs with 13 in the division paying more than their income on salaries.

City were at the lower end of that scale, with wages accounting for 101 per cent of their income - emphasising the importance of the Lansdown family's investment - but also that how one of the league's most financially prudent clubs are still, in effect, massively overspending.

There remains considerable concern in the game that the future of some clubs are under serious threat as there is still no return in sight for competitive football, and even when it does return it will be played behind closed doors, denying the vast majority of those aforementioned revenue streams.

City are not in any immediate danger and the practice of deferrals, following Leeds United and Birmingham City, and furloughing is to help mitigate the substantial losses over what will be at least three months, rising into the millions.

Proposals are being discussed at league level and the PFA as to how to address the problems behind the shutdown, with a potential for a salary cap - something that has support within Ashton Gate - and even a limit set on squads of around 17.

In their statement, Bristol City outline how club captain and Korey Smith played a leading role in discussions between playing staff, management and the PFA.

“Throughout these difficult and unprecedented times it is important that we as a football staff do all we can to contribute to the various causes that need us right now," head coach Johnson said.

"The players and staff have been amazing in showing their class, community spirit and charitable donations.

"I am proud to work with such people. We all miss football and hopefully these sacrifices will help us in the goal of securing a positive future for the football club when we return and beyond.”