Twin boost is another step towards light

GOOD news hasn’t exactly been overflowing in Non-League circles in recent months, but two announcements in the past week will have put some smiles back on worried faces. The Premier League have been criticised in some quarters for not doing more to help their Non-League friends, but better late than never.

News of a Matchday Support Fund which could top more than £5m in payments is just what the doctor ordered for clubs who have had their income streams decimated for virtually half a year now.

Clubs have also had to take on extra expense to make themselves Covid compliant at exactly the same time as their revenue has dried up.

That’s why grants, distributed through the Football Foundation, for things like cleaning and sanitisation, contactless payment systems and additional stewarding will be like gold dust for cash-strapped clubs.

Let’s hope as many as possible take advantage of this scheme to make sure they are ready for supporters to return or for the numbers permitted to increase.

There has also been positive news at Steps 3 and 4. After the loss of main sponsors BetVictor, who divided opinions because of nature of their business, there was a fear that the Isthmian, Southern and Northern Premier leagues might struggle to find a new backer.

That wasn’t a reflection on what they had to offer, but more of a concern that the post-Covid market could be a brutal place in which to operate.

Thankfully, a deal is now in place. Although new backers GVC own betting brands Ladbrokes and Coral, they will be putting money back into football and will keep their branding out of the sport.

The idea is that clubs will be able to apply for grants to help them with both small and large projects, and more details are expected from the leagues – now known as the Trident Leagues – later this month.

Whatever the fine details are, the fact a multi-million pound investment programme is on the way has to be a major plus for Non-League and we will watch with interest how the Pitching In initiative develops.

After plenty of dark days, it looks as though there is now some light at the end of the tunnel. Fans are back at games from Step 3 and below, the FA Cup is underway – and there was some great midweek action – and leagues are kicking off.

Progress is being made week by week thanks to the efforts of lots of different people across the country. If Steps 1 and 2 are permitted to have supporters soon too, it would be even better.