COLCHESTER United have lost out on an estimated £413,000 in revenue due to the impact of coronavirus, new analysis has revealed.

Insolvency practice Business Rescue Expert has investigated the potential cost of Covid-19 on English football across all 91 league clubs.

The Football Without Fans report estimates the revenue loss each club faced as a result of being forced to host the final matches of the season behind closed doors, or in some cases end their season prematurely.

The figures show a total revenue loss of around £305 million across all the clubs in the football league.

Using the U’s average attendance of 3,634, the report estimates the club has lost £413,368 due to Covid-19.

The club is ranked 85th out of 91 for loss of income, with just six clubs losing less.

The U’s estimated losses dwarf in comparison to those at the other side of the football league with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City expected to be the biggest losers from the crisis, missing out on £23.9 million.

The analysis also compared ticket prices and the price of a pie and pint on matchdays at grounds across the leagues.

Visitors to Colchester United’s Jobserve Community Stadium pay £4 per pint, the highest price in League Two, with a pie costing £3.25.

Here is an infographic on the data: 

Gazette:

However, the family-orientated U’s are the only club in English football to give matchday programmes away for free.

Gazette columnist and U’s fan Si Collinson said the club was in a better position than many of its rivals.

He said: “I think [chairman] Robbie Cowling has his head screwed on and for him the survival of the club comes first.

"We are lucky to have him because we have been able to stem the impacts of the virus to a large degree.

“I do worry about other clubs around us in the football league who do not have the same backing.

"I think we could see three or four gone before the end of next season.”

To view the full research, click here.