FA and Government urged ‘not to betray our trust in you’
A swathe of National League clubs have signed an open letter to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden urging him not to ‘betray the trust’ they placed on the government back in the autumn.
All 66 of the clubs, spread across three divisions, are still waiting to hear what money they will receive this month, and when they will get it.
There has been speculation that the cash - £11m in total, via Sport England’s Winter Survival Package - will be in the form of loans rather than grants.
Hawks boss Paul Doswell told The News last week that he felt clubs would refuse to play if only loans were offered - having received grants from the National Lottery fund in the last three months of 2020.
Westleigh Park director Trevor
Brock also said it was a ‘very worrying’ situation with the players due to get paid in the third week of January.
Twelve of the 22 National League North sides have now gone public with their concerns.
‘When National League clubs agreed in October to start the season playing behind closed doors, this decision was based on reassurances that grants would be provided to compensate for essential revenue lost from fans not returning on 1st October,’ their letter said.
‘Had these assurances not been provided then many clubs at our level may have taken the decision not to commence the season.
‘Matchday revenue from supporters attending games and its associated income streams are the lifeblood for our clubs.
‘We are grateful to the Government, The FA, and the National Lottery for recognising this and the roles our clubs play in their communities.
‘We thank them for the grant support we have received to date.
The initial package of £10m was to cover the first three months of the season with the clear understanding that grants would continue until it was safe for crowds to return.
‘There was absolutely no mention of loans at that time.
‘As clubs we have worked diligently to comply with elite sport protocols and ensure a prudent approach to financial management based upon the reassurances given in October.
‘We the undersigned clubs therefore call on the Secretary of State Oliver Dowden, the Department of Culture, Media & Sport and The FA not to betray the trust National League clubs placed in them by agreeing to commence the season and to ensure the additional £11m in support is in the form of grants not loans.’
The 12 clubs are Alfreton Town, Blyth Spartans, Brackley Town, Bradford (Park Avenue), Cheste, Darlington, Farsley Celtic, Gloucester City, Kettering, Kidderminster Harriers, Southport and Spennymoor Town.