Step two clubs call for Covid testing regime before fixtures resume

Fifteen National League North and South clubs have called for a ‘fully funded Covid testing regime’ to be in place before league fixtures can resume.

Fixtures across the league’s second tier have been without a game for the last fortnight after the season was put on hold to allow for discussions over funding to continue between the DCMS and the National League.

Following last week’s announcement that loans would be made available for the 66 member clubs, the National League released a number of resolutions as they looked to gather the opinion of clubs to help them move forward with the rest of the season.

The votes over one special resolution and three separate ordinary resolutions will define how or if the remainder of the 2020/21 season will be completed.

But with fixtures set to resume on Saturday, North East quartet Blyth Spartans, Darlington, Gateshead and Spennymoor Town have joined forces with 11 other clubs from step two of the non-league pyramid to set out their stance following online meetings held on Tuesday.

The clubs want a Covid testing plan to be put in place before games take place and called for any club that is not willing to play to have their fixtures suspended “without fear of sanctions”.

In a joint statement released on Wednesday evening, the 15 clubs said: “All undersigned clubs support the re-commencement of all viable fixtures until the results of the resolution are known, but only when both clubs participating in a fixture are in agreement and when there is a fully funded Covid testing regime in place, as both the NL and its member clubs have a duty of care for the safety of players and staff.

“Clubs who are unable to commit to fixtures should continue to have their season held in suspense by the league and do so without fear of sanctions.

“Furthermore, we have agreed to submit our votes on the resolutions to the National League as soon as reasonably practical and implore all clubs at Steps 1 & 2 to do likewise.

“Any delay or abstaining from voting would be damaging for the clubs in the most urgent situations.

“We must finish the season with all 66 clubs in existence.”