Funding row casts doubt over the season

DOUBT HAS been thrown onto the rest of the National League season after clubs learned grants look set to be cut, it has been reported.

Teams in the National League - plus the South and North divisions - are classed as elite sport, and have therefore continued playing whilst steps three and below of the National League System have seen action postponed during lockdown.

For the past three months clubs have been receiving support via £11m in grants from the National Lottery, which ended on December 31. But it is understood that future payments will be in the form of loans, in line with support previously offered to lower-level clubs.

While clubs are livestreaming matches, they are missing out on much needed match day revenue, and it is feared many would not be able to continue to operate without the grants.

It is understood the National League board met on Tuesday to discuss the situation, and separate meetings with representatives from each division were held on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “It is incorrect to suggest funding was ever promised as grants. Clubs in scope will be assessed for support on the same criteria as other professional clubs.”

However, the chairmen of some National League teams say they agreed to begin the campaign after being led to believe the survival package would continue in the form of grants until supporters were allowed to return to stadiums.