National League’s boss gives verdict on #LetUsPlay proposal

National League’s boss Mark Ives gives his verdict on the #LetUsPlay proposal which could see football played again this season.

The league organisation’s boss says the league will consider the much talked about #LetUsPlay proposal as a potential resolution to the campaign being made null and void following the vote.

19 clubs sent out a letter, calling for the league to allow the teams that wish to continue to do so, despite a majority of Step 2 clubs voting in favour of calling the season.

The resolution has yet to be ratified by the Football Association and thus, the clubs hoping to finish out the season remain in hope.

Ives, the National League general manager, told The Non-League Show: “I think it’s in the best interest of the league that we should listen to all the clubs, either side of the fence – I believe that’s right.

“Do I believe that there’s an opportunity to consider an alternative, viable solution – (there was) a very well-crafted letter put to the league on what might possibly happen – do I believe we should consider that, yes, I do.

“The gift of this is in the FA as the resolution that has been put together is not binding and the FA have the ability whether to accept it or not.

“And, the FA, as a central body, are responsible for the National League System, so anything that is suggested would need to go through the Alliance Committee and ultimately, the FA Council.

“So, do I think that it’s in our best interests to present everything, so that they can consider what is the right thing to do, yes, of course, I do.”

Ives added that the league do not believe it is right to continue to season until the FA’s ratification, as has been argued by some clubs due to the potentially damaging financial implications on those who are in no position to keep playing.

LETTER FROM THE 19 CLUBS:

Dear Mr Ives,

Following the results of the voting on the National League resolutions dated 1 February 2021, we write to you on behalf of the clubs that voted to fulfil the 2020-21 National League North and South season.

We feel the options presented in the resolutions did not provide an alternative solution to a Null and Void scenario and the result of Resolution 3 was very closely divided with a very small majority determining that the season will be ended with immediate effect. However, as a league of members (66 clubs) the vote delivered a majority result in favour of continuing the season albeit you chose to adopt the four votes each rule for NLN and NLS as opposed to one each for the NL.

We believe that the 19 clubs at Step 2 that wish to continue, should be afforded an opportunity to do so, with playoffs and promotion, as per normal.

We believe the following reasons support the resumption of the 2020-21 National League North & South seasons:

• Our feedback and experiences week to week leave us in little doubt that the majority of our communities and supporter base are under extreme strain within the current lockdown conditions. Looking forward to better times and more normality is a large part of keeping people positive. We believe that a Null and Void scenario would negatively impact the mental health of our supporters and communities.

• Our supporters, season ticket holders and commercial partners have demonstrated a huge amount of goodwill and faith by retaining their season tickets and accepting that their interaction with their club will be remotely and digitally rather than what they signed up for and attending matches. A Null and Void season would require either substantial refunds or carrying over the commercial and ticketing revenue into next season. This would have a huge impact on future commercial revenues.

• With the outcome of the vote being Null and Void in Step 2, the ability to have promotion and relegation between Steps 1 and 2 is lost. Promotion and Relegation within the National League system is a fundamental value which the league has worked hard for over the years and which was the motivating driver in reaching a sporting conclusion to last season. We feel it important for our relationship with the EFL that both promotion and relegation be retained at Step 1 and Step 2.

• Last year, although the clubs voted to curtail the season, the playoffs and automatic promotion places were sanctioned, and we believe a similar approach should be adopted this season to maintain the integrity of the overall competition.

• All clubs have accepted financial support from the National Lottery for the months of October, November and December and also FA grant funding in order to prepare and proceed with league matches behind closed doors. Those conditions remain and we feel we have an obligation to proceed and complete the season having already accepted that funding.

• We have all invested considerable sums, by entering into contracts and taking on liabilities on the basis the season would progress to a full conclusion whether behind closed doors or not. How are we expected to now reconcile this investment and commitment? Numerous clubs are entering dialogue with Sport England regarding grant and loan funding to continue operating and are exploring every option to fulfil this season.

In summary, we respectfully request that the league strongly consider that the two divisions at Step 2 continue playing their seasons, either separately or as one.

We believe that this is in the best interests of all National League members allowing the league to cater to the needs and drivers of all clubs in a sympathetic manner, allowing those who wish to continue to do so, and those who cannot or do not wish to continue to end their season.  

Promotion and relegation can be maintained between the National League and National League North and South in order to recover a full National League of 24 clubs next season, as well as maintaining the integrity of our relationship with the EFL.

Yours in Football,
AFC Fylde – David Haythornthwaite
Gloucester City – Alex Petheram
Boston United – David Newton
Havant & Waterlooville – Trevor Brock
Chelmsford City – Steve Shore
Hemel Hempstead Town – Dave Boggins
Chorley – Graham Watkinson
Hungerford Town – Patrick Chambers
Concord Rangers – Antony Smith
Kidderminster Harriers – Neil Male
Dartford – Dave Skinner & Steve Irving
Oxford City – Paul Lyon
Dorking Wanderers – Marc White
St Albans City – Lawrence Levy
Eastbourne Borough – John Bonar & David Blackmore
Welling United
Ebbsfleet United – Damian Irvine
York City – Jason McGill

Fans reacted as the National League general manager gives his verdict on the #LetUsPlay proposal…

pic.twitter.com/EnC4szKouC

— Duncan Gardner (@TerraStatman) February 26, 2021

@lyne_fc: Not playing this down as a small thing the National Leagues situation, as its not. But if it starts to erode the time that the F.A can contribute to the potential re-structure there will be more than just a handful of clubs and supporters unhappy.

@Infinity_f_c: Top bloke mark is! Always helps out, nothing is too much. Great guy!

@M0JJK: He sounds a lot more level headed and approachable on subjects than who he replaced. Looking forward to the full interview.

@JamieD004: What’s the difference on these views between steps 1 & 2. As he said, he has a responsibility for ALL National league clubs? Dover won’t finish the season, Wealdstone & Kings Lynn have come out stating they’re struggling, but May get fined or expelled for not completing fixtures?

@stevechandlerr1: The gift is with the FA , well that’s because the NL shouldn’t created the schism in the first place … shifting the blame

@bpsportchat: He didn’t “seek the views” at all. He offered 1 option before any views were considered

More reaction came in as the National League general manager gives a verdict on the #LetUsPlay proposal…

@jimmysmith_76: Said it time and time again. If they weren’t happy with the resolution voting system why not say so when it came out and abstain from voting and put a formal complaint in then? It’s like Donald Trump all over again. Move on and start afresh next season

@Arthurt27L: The FA now have to act in the interests of their overall jurisdiction, and question the legality of the 11millon funding distribution, which as everyone expected to replace lost gate revenues,for all clubs, as we the fans now know this distribution never fulfilled that criteria

@nonleaguenext: Nice work. Can you ask him why clubs are allowed to randomly stop playing without any consequences at all e.g. Dover. Other clubs meanwhile playing friendlies. He has completely lost control of the clubs he’s supposed to oversee.

@SimonKidby: He talks about democracy yet in another tweet you quote that it saddens him any decision may be subject to a legal challenge!! That’s democracy pal.. he is accountable for ensuring policies & procedures are followed. I sense a guy on the ropes facing a knock down punch!

@paulreid125: Hmmmm! What could that mean?