Statement issued on the 2020/21 National League season

A statement as been issued on the 2020/21 National League season, with concerns that the new campaign wouldn’t be able to start on the 3rd of October.

The government was forced to postpone the return of crowds to elite sport, and the league only wanted to start the season if fans were allowed in the stands.

Clubs in non league rely on matchday income, but if they’re not getting any, they will struggle to survive, Dover a prime example of that.

Teams, managers, players and pundits in English football understand they cannot afford to play behind closed doors, and need money from either the Premier League or the government to avoid the risk of folding and to get the season underway.

Since then, tweets are starting to surface on the net about what happens next.

Dan Roan @danroan said via his Twitter account: “Hearing that the National League is poised to say the new season will commence on Oct 3rd. Awaiting confirmation. Statement due shortly. National League North earlier today said most of its clubs didn’t want to start.

“If this proves the case, could mean the National League is confident some kind of emergency funding will be forthcoming. But could also mean discord between it and the 2 regional divisions below.”

Oliver Holt claimed: “A suggestion government offering £1m a month in support to the NL, averaging out at about £40,000 a team. Teams will also look to stream matches for fans.”

NATIONAL LEAGUE STATEMENT

Following a meeting of its Board of Directors this afternoon, the following update is issued on behalf of The National League:

In recognition of the financial uncertainty facing its member clubs, The National League is actively engaged with Government, with the assistance of The Football Association, to secure a critical financial support package, and it is hoped this can be announced very soon.

It is imperative the revenue shortfall caused by the pause to the safe return of spectators is responsibly addressed so each club can operate sustainably over the course of the forthcoming season.

It appears the hope is still to start the season next weekend, as mentioned by Ollie Bayliss. They are working on confirming finances from the Government that will hopefully allow all clubs to cope with playing without fans.

Magpies boss Neal Ardley spoke to the media about the worrying situation, stating more needs to be done. The full transcript has been published by Nottingham Post.

There have been suggestions and rumours that the National League will delay the start to the season, do you agree with that?

“Absolutely not. The government have made it quite clear this is not a two-week job.

“If they (the League) want to delay it, then why are they doing it? Are they going to give the government three weeks more to see if they will then allow fans back in?

“I don’t understand what the delay is for.

“Ultimately, we are six weeks behind on our season already and the government have said quite clearly these restrictions could be up to six months.

“We are now entering flu and cold season, it’s only going to get tougher.

“There were two things I took out of Boris Johnson’s speech.

“One is that this could be for six months which takes away any suggestion of the league merely being delayed. It’s almost a write-off of the whole season.

“So that word delay does not count. Secondly, the government said they would be talking to sporting authorities into how they can support clubs.

“That gives us a glimmer of hope that there might be some support coming.

“I am adamant that people can think outside the box and get the house in order  regarding the  streaming of games and charging fans.

“Fans will support that, they will want to watch their team. If that’s the way they have to watch it, they will support their club.

“I spoke to Harrogate about it and they said they can take good money from it.

“You could add that to some help from the government.

“We can’t fold and say we haven’t got what we wanted, the season is over.

“What sort of mentality is that? We have to come together and find a way.

“Too many clubs at the moment are just saying that’s it, I am not willing to play.

“That’s the worst case scenario for everybody.

“There’s players on wages. There’s no furlough scheme. It’s just nonsense. You’re going to be restricting trade.

“The leagues below the National League have started. The leagues above us have started.

“There’s only three leagues in the middle that haven’t.  If they (the league) say we are not willing to let them start then it’s a restriction of trade. It’s ludicrous.”

“The season lasts seven and a half months. The government are saying this could be six months.

“Where’s the delay? What are we going to do? Play 46 games in six weeks?

“If we decide to not play without fans we are effectively cancelling the season and we are then putting everybody in the National League, North and South out of work.

What ramifications would that have if it was cancelled?

“There would be no football club. We are having a tough time and I am sure the chairmen are having a tough time.

“Everybody is struggling through this. We all are. People are losing their loved ones which is most important.

“People are losing their livelihoods which is second most important.

“But there has got to  be a way to play football and find solutions to struggle through this period.

“We can’t just give up and say that’s it. It’s not a delay. It’s six months potentially.

Are Notts one of the clubs who have voiced their concerns to the National League to say it must start?

“I’ve no idea.

“The owners and Jason Turner (CEO) had a board meeting on Tuesday which was scheduled anyway.

“I am sure it was discussed in there.  I asked a question yesterday in a managers’ meeting: what is the  (league’s ) plan B if fans aren’t allowed back in?

“The response I got yesterday was there isn’t one.

“We can all see what is coming around the corner. I’ve said it for a number of weeks now.

“While I want the fans in, it’s going to be very difficult to get them in during these tighter restrictions.

“By then we should have been thinking of solutions to keep the leagues going.”

Are you frustrated at some of the mixed messages coming out from the government given people can still go to pubs etc?

“I don’t think football fans coming into the stadium is the problem.

“It’s not that they don’t trust Notts County or they don’t trust Spurs for instance.

“But whether it be 5,000, 10,000 or however many are allowed to go to a game, it’s the travelling on public transport, you’ve got people who will want to go for a pint.

“You are going to have different households mixing together. It’s very difficult and the government are caught between a rock and a hard place.

“It’s the outside bit of the stadium that nobody has control of.

“If the government turn round and say we understand we are not allowing fans back so we will try to support you to this tune, then the leagues have to find the rest.

“We have to find a solution. All the leagues above us are playing  and those below us are playing.

“There are three leagues stuck in the middle being told no.”

Are you disappointed with the National League in that respect?

“At this precise moment, I am bereft  by where it is going and by the leadership.

“They need to be strong and find solutions. That’s what leaders do.

“I hope the people at the top of the league find them. I hope they don’t get bullied by people who just don’t want to play.

“We need to think outside the box and solve problems.

“You can’t have one club say we can’t do this and the other 22/23 follow suit.

“If you have a streaming service and you can charge £10,  fans will want to back that if the home team gets all the income.

“Let’s say 800 of them buy it. There might have only been 400 at the game.

“I can’t understand why that’s not a solution while we battle through this.

“The league has to start. The alternative is incomprehensible.”

FA statement following the government’s latest Covid-19 measures

“We understand the Government’s decision, as the health of the nation is the priority. However, it is important to recognise that the impact on football will be huge.

“Clubs up and down the country are really struggling, and many will have been looking forward to crowds coming back in order to provide much-needed income during these difficult times. Many, at all levels of the game, are battling to survive.

“We welcome the Government’s commitment to provide financial support to clubs and will continue to work together on a return of crowds as soon as it’s safe to do so.

“We also welcome the continuation of the grassroots game, and the elite game behind closed doors, to help support the physical and mental wellbeing of millions of players across the country, with outdoor exercise more important now than ever.”

Fans reacted after a statement was issued on the 2020/21 National League season…

Would have hoped for a “we’re in discussion with the Gov to #Letfansin as we realise the present situation is ridiculous” #jokers

— Nigel (@nigelalder) September 24, 2020

Does that tell us that the top level clubs and FA will top up the clubs finances untill fans are allowed in?

— Jamie Oleszynski (@OleszynskiJamie) September 24, 2020

And that tells us?!?!?!?!?!

— Sarah Lane (@sarahlane91) September 24, 2020

So this tells us nothing absolute jokers

— Andrew Briggs (@chogger5) September 24, 2020

They’re getting really good now at saying nothing.

— Mark Hazell (@markhzll) September 24, 2020

Waited all day for a detailed update announcement from the National League & all they’ve said is that they’re working with the Government & FA over a financial support package. Whilst that’s good, the obvious question hasn’t been answered…are we starting 3rd October or not???‍♂️??‍♂️ https://t.co/WG78uDM7Of

— Lee Bowman (@LeeCPDAFC) September 24, 2020

Update from the national league

“There is no update”

— AFC FYLDE FAN PAGE (@FYLDEFANPAGE) September 24, 2020

Majority wanted to be elite to finish the season & now they want to not be elite

— Katie Burgess (@kittykatkent) September 24, 2020