New threat to Torquay’s bid for a League return
Claims made that £11 million of funding to help clubs will be loans and not grants
TORQUAY United’s season could be under threat amid claims that a further £11 million in funding to help clubs finish the National League campaign will be in loans instead of grants.
Torquay, who were in FA Trophy action at Boreham Wood last night after their fourth-round tie, which was due to be played on Saturday, was postponed on Friday afternoon because of ‘possible’ bad weather, are eight points clear at the top of the National League, and any cancellation of the season because of a threatened strike of clubs would be disastrous.
The National League had secured £10 million of lottery funds in October to ensure the season went ahead. However, there was a major row over the money’s distribution after an arbitrary rate was used rather than it being based on lost gate revenue.
Another three months of cash was due to be made available this month although it now looks likely that clubs will be forced to pay it back despite them struggling financially from playing behind closed doors.
Officials at several National League clubs – in the South and North divisions – have now spoken out insisting it has put the season in jeopardy amid claims of broken promises.
Director of Chester FC Jim Green, whose club play in National League North, said on Twitter: “Unfortunately I fear this spells the end for @TheVanaramaNL this season. It is not too late to correct this mistake but time is running out.”
Dorking Wanderers of the South division also said it would cost the government more if National League sides stopped playing and put the players on furlough.
The club said: “If the National League were to be cancelled it would cost more than £14m from the furlough scheme.
“It would appear @ DCMS [the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport] are yet again struggling to comprehend the impact of no crowds, in addition this is moving the goalposts on what was agreed.”
The chairman of South side Concord Rangers, Ant Smith, added: “I personally would 100% be behind any clubs who wish to make a stand in not playing their fixture this Saturday. I’m pretty sure it is the only way we will get the attention that is required, we have seen how long it takes to get answers if you just nod your head and say okay.”
A meeting is to take place today at which clubs will discuss the matter further, but it’s set to be a heated one with clubs being urged to contact their local MPs for support.
The news comes with fears over the season already starting to mount because of the number of games called off due to the pandemic.
Torquay return to league action at Notts County on Saturday having not played an NL game since they lost 2-1 at Yeovil Town on January 2.
Since then, manager Gary Johnson has extended the loans of Adam Randell and Sam Sherring, and brought in striker Rob Street on loan from Crystal Palace and midfielder
PLYMOUTH Argyle, Exeter City and Torquay United were all in match action last night with the Pilgrims and Grecians looking for valuable league points and the Gulls seeking progress to round five of the FA Trophy.
Unfortunately, due to earlier than usual print deadlines, we have not been able to run match reports from the games, but they are available on our websites along with plenty of reaction - at both PlymouthLive.com and DevonLive.com.
Max Sheaf on loan from Hull City.
The loan signing of Sheaf wasa confirmed by the club late on Monday night.
“I’m very pleased that Max has agreed to join us,” said Johnson.
“He had an excellent spell last season in Cheltenham’s good run in the league, and as soon as he became available I was very interested. He gives us a player that will allow us to get through the number of games we play in a short space of time for the rest of the season.
“He gives us a great option for a few positions.”