Moules fears collapse of Setanta

Ebbsfleet United chairman John Moules fears for the future of Blue Square Premier clubs if pay-TV broadcaster Setanta fails to honour its deal.

Setanta lost its rights to Premier League matches after failing to pay the £30m it owes.

Moules, who signed the deal when he was chief executive of the Conference, says clubs stand to lose £60,000 a year during the remaining three years.

"We can't afford to lose £6, let alone £60,000," he told BBC Radio Kent.

He added: "I'm sure we'll pull together but it will not be easy, it'll be a challenge.

"We also receive money every time we appear on TV so it's probably nearer £200,000 over the next three years we each stand to lose.

"It isn't just the revenue. What concerns me is the profile it has given the competition which has attracted other sponsors to the game."

Moules hopes if the deal is not honoured the Football Association will help clubs survive.

He said: "Five years ago when ITV Digital went a similar way it looks like Setanta are going, the Football League went to the FA who went to the Premier League and Football Foundation and found millions of pounds to ease the blow.

There were no signs this would happen. They looked like a solid company prepared to take Sky on

Ebbsfleet United chairman John Moules

"I still think at this level we could go to the FA and ask to support us."

However, Moules hopes this will not be the end of Blue Square Premier football on television.

"I would think there are a number of broadcasters interested in taking on Conference rights," he said. "But would they be able to fund it the same level Setanta did?

"When I signed the deal I was delighted the deal was over five years. If it goes wrong I'll be very disappointed.

"There were no signs this would happen. We thought the money was a fair amount of money, £2.7m first year to £3.2m this year. They looked like a solid company prepared to take Sky on."

Unlike the Premier League, the Blue Square Premier has not set Setanta a deadline to honour next year's deal.

He said: "The Conference aren't in as strong a position as the Premier League.

"I don't think we would set a deadline and we hope along the line there will be a saviour at Setanta who could keep this level of coverage at this level at the game."