The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) has released a short documentary series – titled What Happens When Saturday Doesn’t Come? – highlighting the importance of clubs to their local communities.

It features a range of clubs from the Premier League and the EFL looking at how football institutions interact with local businesses – cafes, bakeries, pubs and more – who rely on matchdays to keep afloat. 

It’s a great insight into the economic and cultural significance of our football clubs.

The IFR says: “A football club is more than just 90 minutes on a Saturday. It is a core part of the wider community, supporting jobs and bringing people together.”

The IFR was formed in the aftermath of the attempted breakaway European Super League and it has the power to stop any domestic teams competing in such a competition. The IFR is also tasked with ensuring clubs are run in a financially sustainable manner and it will look closely at clubs and their supporter engagement as part of its licensing regime.

Clubs (quicklinks):

• Leeds United / Elland Road Cafe & Sandwich Bar
• Liverpool / Homebaked Bakery
• Coventry City / Dhillon’s Brewery & Sky Blue Tavern
• Leyton Orient / Deeney’s & Leyton of London
• Sheffield Wednesday / Emm’s Barbers

What Happens When Saturday Doesn’t Come?

Leeds United / Elland Road Cafe & Sandwich Bar

Episode 1: Elland Road Cafe & Sandwich Bar – Leeds

“It’s a lot more than what happens on the pitch, it’s a community, Leeds United are a community.”

For many supporters, the match doesn’t start at kick-off or end at full time. It’s the conversations before the game, debates… pic.twitter.com/Wqdf2NfzsD

— The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) (@TheIFROfficial) September 28, 2026

Liverpool / Homebaked Bakery

Episode 2: Homebaked Bakery – Liverpool

“The match underpins you as a business, all them pubs, they need that match, they need the revenue off that to stay open the rest of the season.”

Angela McKay, operations manager at Homebaked Bakery in Liverpool tells us their story of… pic.twitter.com/T7F5R8o0No

— The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) (@TheIFROfficial) September 29, 2026

Coventry City / Dhillon’s Brewery & Sky Blue Tavern

Episode 3: Dhillon’s Brewery & Sky Blue Tavern – Coventry

“We’re more than just a pub, we’re seen as a community hub. The fans treat this as theirs, it’s built for the fans by the fans.”

Win, lose or draw, pubs are where fans come together. We speak to Hollie, Dal and Gordy… pic.twitter.com/HTaRNmX0W4

— The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) (@TheIFROfficial) September 30, 2026

Leyton Orient / Deeney’s & Leyton of London

Episode 4: Deeney’s and Leyton of London – East London

“If Orient closed down, it would lose a sense of self, this area.”

For generations, football clubs have helped define towns and cities, becoming part of the identity of the people who live there. We speak to Jake and… pic.twitter.com/rCtnTZ8DSl

— The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) (@TheIFROfficial) October 1, 2026

Sheffield Wednesday / Emm’s Barbers

Episode 5: Emm’s Barbers – Sheffield

“Everybody just disappeared. People were losing their jobs because there wasn’t enough custom.”

In one of the most recent examples of a historic football club facing an uncertain future, Natalie, Emma and some of her customers, spoke to us… pic.twitter.com/bcOEuxiSx7

— The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) (@TheIFROfficial) October 2, 2026

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