Baker says teams have lost appetite
Slough Town FC: Rebels boss believes clubs won't take loans to continue
Neil Baker believes there will be ''no appetite’ from National League clubs to take on loans to continue their season with the Slough Town boss resigning himself to the fact that this campaign is well and truly over.
The National League was able to start its season thanks to a government issued grant of £10million, but many clubs, including Slough Town, have expressed their concern about the financial implications of taking on loans to cover costs incurred by the coronavirus pandemic and competing behind closed doors.
Yesterday (Wednesday), the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) announced clubs at steps 1-2 will receive loans but can ‘apply for grants if their imminent future is at risk and loans are unaffordable’.
However, last Friday, the National League North and National League South announced a twoweek suspension after clubs in both divisions voiced their opinions on whether it was safe and financially viable to continue.
“I don’t think there is going to be an appetite for anyone to take on these loans so I can only see the season being declared null and void as clubs can’t afford to continue,” said Baker.
“Unfortunately, paying players – which is what clubs need to do – is not going to be seen as accepting circumstances for this loan.
“Also, we’ve all been starved of any income so I don’t know how they propose we pay it back.
“Having crowds allowed back in and watching our games was the only thing that was going to save our level of football unfortunately and allow us to continue.
“People talk about streaming your games but for the vast majority of clubs, streaming doesn’t generate enough revenue. It’s like asking a business to trade without any income - you can’t do it. Football is no different and I think we're only headed one way.
“The league probably know that already and after these two weeks, they may be hoping they can bring something else to the table but I just can’t see there’s going to be any funding from anywhere else.
“There is no appetite to give the National League another grant so I think the football season is finished.”
Baker added: “We’ve been saying this for week’s now anyway, and I've gone past caring what other clubs think.
“I’ve been involved in football since I was five-years-old so for me to step away like I have done and ask for the season to finish shows I’ve got pretty strong feelings on the matter.
“We’re 12 games into a 40 game season, where we are in the league is completely irrelevant.
“I just don’t believe football should be going on in the current climate and the funding just compounds it.
“It’s interesting that a number of clubs have now come out and agreed with us.
“We were the lone wolves four weeks ago when we came out with our statement but a number of clubs are now behind that aswell and are agreeing with what we've had to say. I feel like we can look at ourselves and say we've done something right.”