Resolution to be relief for calamitous League

THE National League has been plunged deeper into chaos as uncertainty continues over the future of the non-league season.

Clubs in steps one and two of the non-league leader have been given the opportunity to vote on how to resolve the issues over funding, with discontent among the teams after they were offered loans by the Government rather than grants.

Voting on the preferred outcome of the season is ongoing, with no clear indication as yet to whether the 2020/21 campaign will continue – although it’s thought that the season could be brought to an end in all three divisions.

That certainly seems to be the case in the National League North and South, where clubs have held firm in their insistence that they will not play until funding resolution is found.

Second-placed Chester have already announced that they have voted to have the 2020/21 campaign declared null and void.

They have been followed by Gateshead, Farsley Celtic, Spennymoor Town, AFC Telford United and Bradford Park Avenue, who have all declared their wish to see the season cancelled.

Leaders Gloucester City, along with play-off hopefuls AFC Fylde, Brackley Town, Kidderminster Harriers,

Boston United, York City and Leamington have all intimated that they wish to continue although they have not officially declared which way they intend to vote, while Hereford, as yet, have remained silent on the issue.

Southport, along with Curzon Ashton, Kettering Town, Darlington Guiseley, Alfreton Town and Blyth Spartans, have revealed that they are not willing to play any more games until a resolution has been reached and have indicated they will not be able to continue the season under the present funding terms.

While Southport’s game against Kettering was postponed because of a frozen pitch, a number of clubs stated they would not play at the weekend, while others have hit out at the National League after the governing body charged some with failing to fulfil their fixtures, and warned others they could forfeit fixtures if they don’t play.

The League issued clubs with a statement on Friday night, saying: “It may be helpful to explain that this process is merely a mechanism for the League to deal with each of the occasions for non-fulfilment. No fines or sanctions have been raised or recommended and this will be considered at the next stage.

“An independent panel will be appointed to hear each case and it will be at this stage the issue of “just cause” as outlined in the rule will be objectively assessed in each case based on the evidence before them.

“In the interest of fairness of all parties, the cases will not be heard until such time as the outcome of the resolutions are known.”

The situation does not appear to be getting any better though, and National League clubs are also feeling the effects of a lack of funding.

Dover Athletic owner Jim Parmenter said the club have “run out of money”, telling BBC Radio Kent: “Small clubs like Dover just can’t afford to take large loans.

“We’re talking several hundred thousand pounds to get through the season and that just isn’t possible for us and it’s been going on now since January with still no money forthcoming.”

Meanwhile, National League South club Maidstone United have taken the extraordinary measure of placing their first team squad and office staff on furlough.

The club stated: “This was a difficult decision, especially as it impacts lives and livelihoods, but this is the only way of supporting those players and staff in the short term, while protecting the club and all those proud to be associated with it in the long term.”

Clubs have until the end of the month to vote on how to resolve the current season – not many National League clubs have registered their votes yet, although Hartlepool, Sutton United and Notts County have voted against ending step one or both steps, while King’s Lynn Town and Dover have voted for both resolutions, with Wrexham abstaining.

In the National League North, 12 clubs have voted for ending the season early, with two more declaring their intentions to do so, while three clubs have so far voted against, with four others expressing an intention to join them.

The outlook is much different in the National League South, with ten clubs voting against and one other voicing an opinion that the season should continue, while six clubs have voted for an early end, with two others agreeing but having not yet voted.

Resolutions on ending the season early need 50 per cent of the clubs to vote for in order to pass – resolutions on clubs ending their own steps apply only if 75 per cent of clubs vote to decide their own fate, while the vote to end all steps only applies if the first resolution fails.

The League’s reputation took anotherhit this week when general manager Mark Ives revealed they are working closely with Sport England and the DCMS to make sure any member clubs who are applying for loans through the Sport Winter Survival Fund aren’t inadvertently breaking league rules.

Concerns have been raised by clubs that taking loans from the government scheme may not be permitted in their current format.

“We’re working with Sport England and DCMS,” Ives told The Non_league Paper. “We’re grateful for the funding that is being made available. But we equally need to ensure by taking the loans in the format they stand, the clubs aren’t inadvertently breaking league rules.

“The board have worked hard over the years to ensure financially sustainability. The board want to make sure we don’t have short-term gain for a long-term pain. We need to make sure we maintain that financial stability.”

And Ives said the result of the survey into whether or not the season should continue will be published as soon as possible.

“We’re in a time where lots of people are frustrated – it’s a really difficult time,” he said.

“But I’m concentrating on trying to get ourselves through it so 66 clubs finish this season and, come the start of next season, we’ve got 66 clubs starting.

“Everybody involved – clubs, fans, the league, the league officers – are keen to know the outcome. That’s perfectly reasonable so that people can plan and move on with what the rest of the season looks like.

“As soon as it has been confirmed and verified, we will publish the results.”