Clubs opt to vote in favour of extending league suspension
SEVERAL local non-league clubs are facing up to the possibility of being unable to finish the season under its current format, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
At a meeting last week, the 224 members of the ‘Trident Leagues’, that is, the divisions of the Isthmian League, Southern Football League and the Northern Premier League, voted in favour of continued the current postponement of fixtures, due to fans not being allowed in stadiums in Tier 3 areas – such as Staffordshire.
That means there will be no football until at least December 19, the first weekend after the December 16 review of the tier system.
If no change happens then, the next review would come after December 30, meaning there would be no return of football until the new year.
Stafford Rangers and Nantwich play in the NPL Premier Division, with Leek Town, Kidsgrove Athletic and Newcastle Town competing in the South East Division.
A statement from the Trident Leagues read: Following the statement issued by the Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Football Leagues, further clarification can now be given in relation to the voting following the Zoom meetings held by all three Trident Leagues with their Member Clubs to discuss the impact of the raising of the lockdown on December 2.
“There were 224 Clubs voting across the three leagues and of these, 172 agreed with the proposition to continue the pause in fixtures, 51 disagreed and there was one abstention.
“Broken down by league, 57 clubs in the Northern Premier League voted to agree with four disagreeing, 68 clubs in the Southern League agreed with 14 disagreeing and in the Isthmian League it was much closer with 47 Clubs agreeing, 33 disagreeing and one abstention.
“The “agree” vote was therefore 76 per cent and it has been agreed that the three leagues will not sanction fixtures at this time.
“It is intended that the situation is kept under review in line with Government review on the Tier allocations and restrictions.
“Accordingly, the next review is set for December 16 and then 30 December. It is the hope of all the leagues that a date in January can be set for a return to fixtures with clubs who wish being allowed to play before that date but this will not be until there is a change in the Tiers and/or some progress in the funding of the Clubs at this level.
“The Government has allocated £25million to Sport England to fund Steps 1 to 6 of the National Leagues System, of which £14million is set for Steps 3-6, but is heavily weighted in favour of loans, not grants.
“The FA is working tirelessly with
DCMS and Sport England to have the funding presented as Grants.
“However, these negotiations take time, and it is not expected to have an answer or clarification of details of even the loans until mid-january.
“The deep concern of all involved in the NLS is that circumstances may mean that it is not possible
to conclude the current format in a manner in which promotion and relegation can be achieved throughout the whole pyramid with Step 2 being brought up to 48 Clubs and Step 4 brought up to 240 Clubs.
“If, therefore, no progress is made by the Government on the Tiers in either of the two December reviews,
it is the intention of the Alliance Committee to circulate those concerned with a survey to gather the views of the clubs as how best to finish the season.
“Options will include an alternative format competition and extending the season possibly into June 2021.
“However the implications of all such proposals will involve the cost of player’s contracts and the ability of some clubs to continue playing because of other issues of grounds and the need to prepare grass pitches for the following season.
“The leagues are mindful of the needs of all clubs and are striving to find a solution which is fair to all.”