LET’S NOT RUSH INTO ANYTHING
HERE WE are again! It’s like Deja vu from the end of last season when the National League North & South play-offs were up in the air. Will we, won’t we? Now we’re all asking similar questions with our season currently suspended. This coming week we’re expecting to be asked more formally what should happen. For me, this is not the time to rush into a decision. Let’s take stock and weigh everything up. People are still working hard behind the scenes to try and get decisions on loans and grants changed.
Clubs have now also been told by Sport England that if they do go down the route of taking a loan or applying for a grant from the Winter Sport Survival Package then it will still be a four to six week wait for the funding to come through.
So, in my opinion, there is no other option but to continue the current suspension. Let’s not make a snap decision to knock the season on the head altogether. All the way through this process it’s been shown how quickly the situation can change. Again, remember the play-offs. They were on, off and finally on again at Step 2. It all changed at the 11th hour. First the play-offs were only going to take place in Step 1, then the clubs lobbied, the situation was reviewed and we got it through.
But, like back then, my opinion is the same. All three divisions should do the same. We are all part of the same competition. We are all under the National League umbrella. We’re all supposed to be in the same boat.
It’s why I question now why the National League are still playing in Step 1 while at Step 2 we currently aren’t? Why isn’t the whole of the National League taking a break while we try to secure funding for all clubs? Or is there another agenda?
This is my personal feeling, but my fear is the North and South will end up stopping completely and the National League will continue. Will they then all of a sudden find funding for that? Because Step 1 clubs will surely have to take double, if not triple, the loans Step 2 clubs will need. How will all 23 teams afford that? Again, to reiterate, these are my own thoughts and questions swirling around in my head. As North and South clubs, we don’t need to vote on the outcome just yet. And when we do, everyone should be doing it together.
Outcomes
We all know there will be commercial impacts on all clubs if we just write the campaign off.
It’s been put out there that there could be different outcomes for the different levels. But clubs at Step 1 need the grants just as much as clubs in the North and South divisions. The wait for the loans or grants through Sport England are going to be four to six weeks no matter what club you are or level. So why would Step 1 carry on playing, if they don’t know where the money is coming from to pay February’s wage bill and running costs?
We all need to be together to stay playing and complete our leagues. I totally accept everyone will have their own viewpoints and see things through their own club’s eyes. But let’s make sure all the information has been absorbed so informed decisions are made with clear heads. What’s the process? What’s needed to get a loan and what are the full terms? What are the terms when it comes to potential grants? We need to take stock. Now Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition, is batting in our corner along with Shadow Sports
Minister Alison McGovern. They took part in a zoom call with clubs on Thursday to understand the situation we are in. They’re looking at the fact this could cost £14m in furlough money rather than £11m in funding. It doesn’t make sense. Hopefully they can help with their influence too. I think it’s inevitable our season will be suspended further. That’s a good idea in my opinion and 100 per cent better than just cancelling everything.
It’s not an easy time for clubs. We all need to be fighting for the same cause. Because, ultimately, we should all want to complete our competition. Even if it means allowing clubs to pull out of the league, we should carry on if possible.