YEOVIL: VOTING CALL IS WRONG
I won’t be voting, says Glovers chief
YEOVIL TOWN chairman Scott Priestnall believes the National League have blundered by giving clubs the vote – and doesn’t plan to use his.
Last week, the league told clubs they would be given the chance to vote on whether the remaining regular season games should be cancelled.
If that resolution – recommended by the league – goes through, there will be further, currently unspecified, votes on what happens next.
“I just don’t think we should be voting,” Yeovil co-owner Priestnall told The NLP. “For the National League, it’s best to stay in line with the professional game and see what develops.
“I’ve had a phonecall from someone at the National League to get my vote put through, but I haven’t voted yet and it’s not my intention to do it because I don’t believe in it.” But National League chairman Brian Barwick feels it’s only right clubs should have their say. “We’re just trying to come up with the best solution we can given the unprecedented circumstances,” he said. “One of the ways we felt was appropriate was to engage our clubs in some of the key decisions.”
YEOVIL TOWN chairman Scott Priestnall believes the National League have taken a wrong turn by giving clubs the vote – and doesn’t plan to use his.
Last week, the league told their members they would be given the chance to vote on whether the remaining regular season games should be cancelled.
If that resolution – recommended by the league – goes through, there will be further, currently unspecified, votes on what happens next.
But Yeovil co-owner Priestnall feels the league shouldn’t have brought in a voting process, preferring them to bide their time and see what happens with the Football League.
“I’ve been quite clear with the National League and their chief executive (Michael Tattersall),” he told The NLP. “I just don’t think we should be voting.
“Having spoken to a few people in the National League, it seems to me that club chairmen and owners will make a decision in the best interests of their clubs and not the league. It’s a decision that should be taken at a higher level.
“Previously, the National League has been in tandem with the EFL and it makes sense to do that – we are going to have promotion and relegation between the EFL and National League.
“For the National League, it’s best to stay in line with the professional game and see what develops. We shouldn’t rush into a decision we won’t be able to come back from.”
The 38-year-old told The
NLP he was planning to boycott the voting process. “I’ve had a phonecall from someone at the National League to get my vote put through, but I haven’t voted yet and it’s not my intention to do it because I don’t believe in it.
Hibernation
“I will see what other clubs think. I don’t want to be the only person kicking and screaming if the rest of the clubs think it’s right. I will reluctantly go along with it.”
One of the reasons why businessman Priestnall believes the National League have chosen their new direction is concerns over the financial impact on their clubs, many of whom want clarity as to when the season will finish.
“There’s been an awful lot of pressure from National League North and South clubs and a smaller portion of National League clubs to cancel games so that they can go into hibernation and limit losses,” he said.
“I do understand, the North and South clubs are part-time and their requirements are very different to a full-time professional set-up.
“I think the National League board and the chief executive had done a really good job – up until this decision. They’ve tried to keep us informed and aligned with the EFL.
Fairness
“I wouldn’t say they’ve been forced, but I know why they are taking this decision and they’ve done it with the best of intentions. They want to get the economics sorted first – they are worried clubs might go to the wall.
“I don’t hold any grudges against the league – they are in a very, very difficult position. Perhaps they could have separated the decisions for the National League, and the North and South – that could have been the best solution.”
When the season came to a halt last month, the Glovers lay fourth and still in the hunt for an immediate return to the Football League under boss Darren Sarll.
And Priestnall says they deserve the opportunity – like everyone else – to earn promotion on the pitch.
“Voting on who gets promoted or relegated just isn’t right,” said the Glovers chief, who has been unable to obtain information from the league about what their follow-up votes could entail.
“You need sporting fairness and there are 27 to 30 points still to play for. I’m biased, but I still think we can win the league. Harrogate can win it, Notts County can win it and there’s probably other teams thinking they can have a late rush for it.
“The National League are trying to keep the play-offs intact and I applaud them for that, and think they should happen.We could play them with the top seven or eight teams in a week to ten days. Barrow should be there and have their chance.
“You could promote one or two clubs through the play-offs. Everyone has a fighting chance.”
With everything that has happened over the last month or so, you could forgive Priestnall and co-owner Errol Pope for wondering if they’d make a mistake by taking over the Glovers in September.
“I would have paid less for it!” joked Priestnall, “but I’ve got quite a philosophical view. I’ve loved being involved with Yeovil this season, the rapport with the fans and community and the improvements we’ve made in a short space of time. “I’m dealing with things and I’ve been humbled by the response of everyone.”