Lower non-league lifeline
CLUBS in the region such as Burscough, Skelmersdale United and other members of the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) have been handed a financial boost amidst the coronavirus crisis.
The NWCFL have confirmed a package of over £35,000 has been arranged to help clubs after the non-league season at steps 3-7 was declared null and void by the Football Association.
The league will not ask any of the 60 members to pay their annual subscription for the 2020-2021 campaign while they remain dedicated to reducing further costs ‘through a variety of measures.’
Burscough and Skem who play in the Premier Division, local divisional rivals Bootle and
Litherland REMYCA, plus 56 other NWCFL clubs will, however, still be forced to pay fines aggregated during the current season despite results being expunged.
“The league will be waiving the annual subscription for the 2020/21 season,” the official statement read. “This will ensure none of our 60 clubs will have to pay ANY annual fees for the league, Macron Cup or PlayerMatch.com Cup.
“Our AGM and Awards Dinner at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool is to be cancelled this year.
“Clubs pay for this in their League Services payments throughout the year, and this will be reimbursed to all clubs.
“Clubs that are owed money for match officials travelling expenses will be paid with immediate effect.
“Our league operates an equalisation scheme where every club pays the same amount for match officials regardless of location, with some clubs refunded and some billed at the end of each season.
“The league are also looking to further reduce costs for the 2020/21 season through a variety of measures that can in turn be passed onto the clubs.
“This could include online handbooks, the reduction of matchday paperwork and match report books, or a reduction in pass cards and the Observers levy.
“Unfortunately, any outstanding amounts that clubs owe to the league via fines or referee equalisation cannot be written off as it would be in breach of Article 4.
“However any clubs that do owe money can request a deferment via the League Secretary on the amount owed to.”