National League season in doubt
Hawks CEO says club ‘not in a position’ to take loans
Hawks CEO Stuart Munro has major doubts over whether the National League season will now reach a conclusion following the announcement that government funding for the next three months will come in loan form.
And he admitted Hawks 'can't continue' and are not in a position to receive any support unless it comes as a grant.
The National League were last night informed by the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport that £11m made available from the government’s Sport Winter Survival Package will arrive as loans.
It's news that will deal a massive blow to some of the 67 clubs across the three NL divisions, who are in danger of being unable to complete the season.
Teams at National League level were handed a £14m bailout from the government back in September in order to start the season in the form of grants.
Clubs were handed portions of that funding in order to get them through October, November and December while grounds remained closed to supporters amid the pandemic.
But after being told before agreeing to begin the campaign in October additional grants would be available in January, February and March should matches remain behind closed doors, that promise has not been delivered.
And it's left Hawks CEO Munro uncertain over what will happen next at National League level.
Speaking to the club website, he said: ‘I don't know what the condition of those loans are yet but, as a football club, we aren't in a position to take loans as I think many of our fellow clubs, particularly in the National South, won't be either.
‘We started the season back in September/October and were kindly offered grants by the government which we were grateful for - and still are, I must state that - which got us through until Christmas.
‘Those first three months of grants were given on the basis that it would be reviewed for the following three months of January, February and March.
‘It would now seem that if they continue with it being a loan we won't finish the season. When I say we won't, I don't think the National League full stop will finish the season.
‘I think as we sit here there's a real doubt whether the National League But Hawks' CEO is uncertain will continue to its what the immediate
the£11m completion.’ future could
Despite hold for the club damaging after those two news, Munro fixtures. confirmed 'We go to Hawks will be Bath (tonight), making the The latest government funding we go to trip to Bath package made available to Concord on City in the the National League is to come Saturday - two league tonight to clubs in the form very tough and are set to head of loans games that we'll to Concord Rangers be as committed on Saturday. as ever to win and I'm sure Bath will be as well,’ he added.
‘It is business as normal. We must concentrate on Bath, I know Dos, the management staff and the players will be, and I know the players will on Saturday. I can't talk past Concord on Saturday until I know where we're going to be in the next couple of weeks.
‘There will be some tough talking around our boardroom in the next seven to 10 days.’