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So how did the National League situation happen, a thread to try to explain it all...
There was real concern the season may not begin at all, the initial policy was no fans & the season doesn't start
With days to go the league confirmed they had 'recieved confirmation of significant financial grant-aid support' from the Government & so the campaign got underway..
With days to go the league confirmed they had 'recieved confirmation of significant financial grant-aid support' from the Government & so the campaign got underway..
The finance was announced as part of a £10m National Lottery grant, the league themselves could distribute the money
This was intended to help clubs to the end of 2020, with the hope being some fans would be allowed back in..
This was intended to help clubs to the end of 2020, with the hope being some fans would be allowed back in..
The way the funding was allocating caused controversy
National League clubs gained £95k or £84k a month, National League North/South £36k or £30k a month
With the money intended to help teams with lost gate revenue, it led to some clubs demanding changes were made
National League clubs gained £95k or £84k a month, National League North/South £36k or £30k a month
With the money intended to help teams with lost gate revenue, it led to some clubs demanding changes were made
Due to the fall-out from the funding, an independent panel led by David Bernstein looked into it
He wrote an open letter weeks after saying he was 'profoundly disappointed' the report at the time hadn't been shared
It since has, certain items were not, due to data protection
He wrote an open letter weeks after saying he was 'profoundly disappointed' the report at the time hadn't been shared
It since has, certain items were not, due to data protection
The new Tier system did see some clubs able to host fans briefly
It only lasted a number of games for them
Others have not hosted support all season so far
It only lasted a number of games for them
Others have not hosted support all season so far
The end of December saw all National League clubs back behind closed doors
While Chairman Brian Barwick was awarded an OBE, Twitter comments were turned off when the League announced it
Significantly as well Chief Executive Michael Tattersall left the role at the end of 2020
While Chairman Brian Barwick was awarded an OBE, Twitter comments were turned off when the League announced it
Significantly as well Chief Executive Michael Tattersall left the role at the end of 2020
Speaking of lockdown, as an important side note, the National League are the only divisions that are currently playing without regular Covid testing in place
Now back to November when the Sport Winter Survival Package was announced, £11m was identified for the National League
There was no information on whether it would be a loan or grant
This is where we stand now with it understood clubs are set to be told the money is a loan
There was no information on whether it would be a loan or grant
This is where we stand now with it understood clubs are set to be told the money is a loan
The season continuing with a loan as the only option looks unlikely
Some teams have already started looking at the furlough scheme (the season would have to end)
There is a hope that pressure by clubs could lead to a government u-turn on the matter but that remains to be seen
Some teams have already started looking at the furlough scheme (the season would have to end)
There is a hope that pressure by clubs could lead to a government u-turn on the matter but that remains to be seen
The season began with a promise, it would be funding or fans, with the latter looking a while off & the situation clubs find themselves in, some form of grant seems the only way to ensure the season continues
Some would be able to play on regardless, the majority need support
Some would be able to play on regardless, the majority need support
So that is about it for now, there is a board meeting today & then a zoom meeting with clubs tomorrow, set to be chaired by interim GM Mark Ives
The next few days will be significant for the season & the clubs involved in general
The next few days will be significant for the season & the clubs involved in general
