Adams expects National League to continue after clubs’ vote
Magpies’ CEO believes the majority of National League clubs are in favour of playing on
Maidenhead’s CEO Jon Adams has said he expects National League clubs will vote to continue playing matches behind closed doors until the end of the season, but accepts the situation is far less certain for teams in the National League North and South.
Clubs in all three divisions have been asked to vote on a resolution to continue or scrap their respective league seasons. It’s likely that clubs will vote in favour of a special resolution which will allow each of the 66 clubs a vote on determining the outcome of their own league season. At present National League clubs have one vote each while clubs in the North and South leagues share four votes.
Each of the divisions are therefore likely to take a separate vote on whether to play on with a simple majority needed for either the campaign to be cancelled, and declared null and void, or to be continued behind closed doors.
It seems likely that most clubs in the National League will vote to carry on, despite a report in The Times on Monday evening that all three divisions would most likely be terminated as early as this week.
The situation is less clear for clubs in the North and South divisions, but Slough Town boss Neil Baker has said there is little appetite for clubs at that level to continue and a majority will probably vote to end the season.
The bigger clubs in the National League should be better able to absorb the costs of continuing to play without fans or grant support.
Clubs have 28 days to respond but it is hoped most will return their decisions to the league in the coming days in order to get some clarity ahead of scheduled matches this weekend.
The Government’s decision to issue its second tranche of financial aid as loans rather than grants has caused the problem, while many clubs – including Slough Town – are also concerned about their players putting themselves and their families at risk of contracting COVID-19.
They called for the season to be suspended several weeks ago over these safety fears and wanted the league to put further measures in place – such as mandatory testing – to protect players and club staff.
An £11m package has been allocated for National League clubs and can be issued as a long-term, low interest loan or a grant from the league to be repaid in future years through receiving smaller solidarity payments.
Most clubs feel this is a loan dressed up as a grant, however, Maidenhead – while loathed to take on loans to see themselves through to the end of the season - would consider the option if the only alternative is scrapping the season immediately.
Adams expects there will be further clarity on the direction of travel for step 1 and 2 clubs by the end of the week
“The first resolution is to vote on whether the constitution should be changed to enable clubs in their own leagues to determine the fate of that league,” said Adams.
“I would expect most clubs will say that’s the right and proper approach.
“That will enable National League teams to vote on whether their league should continue or stop, and it enables the clubs in the North and South divisions to vote together on whether their leagues should continue or not.
“My expectation is that the National League will continue. The noise from the majority of clubs in our league is that they wish for the league to carry on. I think the future of the North and South leagues is far more doubtful, that’s for sure.
“I think that there’s a split between the teams at the lower level, but I feel there’s probably more clubs who’ll feel they’re unable to continue because of the change of situation in terms of funding.
“We could end up with a situation where the National League continues but the National League North and South don’t. I think that’s the most likely outcome.”
Should these votes be passed, and the North and South divisions are cancelled but the National League plays on, the threat of relegation would be taken away from clubs in Maidenhead’s division. However, Adams says the clubs at step 1 have been assured that promotion from the National League and relegation from the EFL would remain in place, maintaining the integrity of the division and its relationship with the football league.
He also isn't concerned that clubs at the bottom of the league would be less motivated to compete because the threat of relegation, which currently hangs over them, has been taken away.
“If the leagues below don’t complete the season, absolutely that would be the case and it would mean no relegation for this season,” he said. “One of the big issues surrounding potentially stopping the season is about the integrity of the relationship with the Football League.
“We would all want to see the opportunity to be promoted remain on the table, but to do that you have to complete the season. We’ve been given assurances that nothing would change on that, that promotion and relegation would continue so that all clubs would have something to play for.
“It’s not a perfect situation, or even a perfect season. But we have to play with the hand we’ve been given, and I think most clubs would prefer to see competitive football continuing.
“The reality is that every football club wants to win every game they play, and I don’t think that changes irrespective of whether there is or isn’t relegation this season.
“There are many football leagues and sports where relegation doesn’t happen at all, and it doesn’t change the integrity of those leagues that’s for sure. I think we will crack on and everyone will be wanting to do the best that they can.”