LET US PLAY!
Step 2 clubs unite in plea for solution
EIGHTEEN National League North and South clubs have joined forces to insist they want to play on in a one-off competition to decide promotion and relegation between Step 1.
The latest twist in a chaotic season comes after league voting declared the Step 2 season null and void, while the National League’s top tier continues.
An open letter of appeal sent to the National League and signed by former EFL clubs York City, Kidderminster Harriers and Boston United has been referred to The FA ahead of crucial meetings this week.
Some clubs are also weighing up legal action.
THE NATIONAL League season continued at Step 1 yesterday as attention turns to what happens with promotion and relegation now that the North and South divisions have been declared null and void.
Amid concern over the lack of expected grant funding should fans not be allowed inside Non-League stadiums, the National League were compelled to issue a series of Resolutions to determine whether the season should terminate or continue, and if Step 1 and 2 should be treated separately.
The outcome of the Resolutions distributed to the 66 National League clubs has supported different decisions being made at each Step.
A majority at Step 1 – 13-7 in favour – want to carry on their campaign but 24 of the 43 Step clubs voted in favour of null and void.
There are two votes from the National Division that have not yet been cast, with Wrexham choosing to abstain because they aren’t eligible for Sport England grants.
But as the outcome of the resolutions could not be affected by these votes, irrespective of how they are cast, the announcement was made.
The National League Board will take the resolution outcome to the Football Association for ratification. This will include dialogue regarding promotion and relegation.
Eighteen Step 2 clubs have joined forces under the banner ‘Let Us Play’ in the hope a format can be proposed as an alternative to the null and void scenario. An open letter to the National League has been referred to the FA.
Concerns have been raised over potential issues with the integrity of the competition at Step 1 with some clubs suggesting they will be forced to field young sides while either furloughing their main squad or releasing high earners.
Dover Athletic, meanwhile, say they won’t play until they have an answer over grant funding and King’s Lynn Town say they are unable to confirm they will play fixtures beyond February 27.
Notts County boss Neal Ardley says he hopes National League clubs who voted against continuing the season will get the help they need to ensure the integrity of the competition is maintained.
Ardley, whose promo2 tion-chasing club was one of the first to declare they wanted to play on, says he does have sympathy with the ‘mixed messages’ given to clubs who don’t wish to be compensated for playing behind closed doors through loans.
“I feel for the clubs because nothing about the pandemic has been ideal and the mixed messages they have had over grants and loans has certainly not been ideal,” he said.
“But from what I’ve been told, if clubs can prove they can’t accept loans because of getting into debt, they can apply for grants to complete the season.
“I think it is important for the integrity of the competition to be maintained and also good for the National League to get teams into the Football League.”