‘We don’t have answers, we are in the dark’
SPARTANS MANAGER CALLS FOR CLARITY
BLYTH Spartans manager Michael Nelson believes it is essential that clarity is given over the immediate future of the non-league game.
Spartans were left without a game on Saturday as their National League North fixture at AFC Fylde was postponed following a positive test in the home camp.
That action has become a common sight across the National League’s three divisions over the last five months and the picture is not any clearer for leagues below step two of the non-league pyramid.
The likes of South Shields, Morpeth Town, Dunston UTS and Marske United have been asked their opinion on how the league season at steps three and four should be concluded.
And the same has been asked of Ebac Northern League clubs after they received a survey conducted by the Football Association last week.
News is also awaited whether there is to be a continuation of the National Lottery grant that National League clubs have received, as the current funding is due to end in the next fortnight.
Nelson admitted that the uncertainty surrounding the non-league game is “unsettling” and called for the government, leagues and the Football Association to work together to give some clarity over what lies ahead.
He said: “I think the EFL have got twice weekly testing in place and that is being paid for by the PFA.
“We aren’t getting those tests at our level and full-time players can train, then go home and isolate at home.
“We have lads coming to training then going to work with a lot of other people.
“There are restrictions in place, but our lads have to work and it’s an unsettling situation for part-time clubs at the minute.
“The younger players probably don’t look into stuff as much depth as the senior lads, but ears prick up once the lads talk about the situation in training.
“We just carry on as normal, that’s the way it has to be and that is what we will continue to do.
“We can’t stop them worrying or thinking, we don’t have the answers, we are in the dark.
He continued: “Am I surprised we are still playing? Yes and no.
“The clubs campaigned for elite status last year, that’s why we are playing, and we had the government grant that is keeping the season going.
“We aren’t sure what will happen in the future, we are just planning for the season continuing and keeping our players updated as much as possible.
“But we need to know what is going on and we need clarity over what lies ahead for all of the clubs in the non-league game.”