National League at risk

If they chose option 2 and we get relegated, surely the two promoted teams get off without consequences and we’d effectively be saddled with their debt by means of reduced funding from the league?

https://theathletic.com/news/national-league-cancelled-curtailed-football/OS1IBa2cXNO9

Looks like clubs like the sound of option 2.

Quoted from pontoonlew

If they chose option 2 and we get relegated, surely the two promoted teams get off without consequences and we’d effectively be saddled with their debt by means of reduced funding from the league?

I would assume the relegated clubs would still get the parachute payments and if it happens to be us, coupled with our fan base, we would be the Man Utd of the National League. Should help in getting straight back out.

Quoted from ginnywings

I would assume the relegated clubs would still get the parachute payments and if it happens to be us, coupled with our fan base, we would be the Man Utd of the National League. Should help in getting straight back out.

Great to see people have learnt the lessons that Non League taught us last time

so, the Covid/Conference issue is turned from being a potential lifeline to a potential millstone........

hope to God Hursty has had some successful phone calls!

Quoted from ginnywings

I would assume the relegated clubs would still get the parachute payments and if it happens to be us, coupled with our fan base, we would be the Man Utd of the National League. Should help in getting straight back out.

We we’re not “the Man U” last time, I think each season down there we had something like the 4/5 biggest salary. There again we were being run then by the old skinflint in those days.

I had my tongue firmly in my cheek.

Taking Option 2 would in my opinion be short sighted as the clubs may be repaying this debt for many a season. It would appear to be more sensible to have one null and void season rather than have a significant reduction in income for the foreseeable future.

However, I accept if town were in Torquay or Stockport’s position I would be willing the competition to continue, just get the feeling there will be no get out of jail free cards coming our way. Come on Hursty let’s have some signings as I think most fans anxiety levels rise another notch with each day that passes with no incoming players.

What if the NL gets a reprieve for a year and we go down, then it folds.
Not so good
Football means so much to each and every one of those clubs and I wish them well.

I wouldn’t miss the premiership mind you

SPORTFOOTBALL
National League clubs expected to press for season suspension amid debt concerns


1 hour ago

A
majority of National League clubs are expected to reluctantly push for the early curtailment of the season after being told loans would be the only source of government funding available.

In conference calls on Wednesday with Mark Ives, the League's interim general manager, clubs were given three options: apply for individual loans; share a central loan paid to and distributed by the League; or suspend the campaign.

Clubs were asked to relay their preferred choice to the League by Wednesday night, with the board hoping to meet on Thursday to review the feedback before further discussions with clubs.


The League favours continuing the season but a majority of the 67 clubs across the three divisions are thought to be unwilling or unable to take on debt.


One chairman told Standard Sport: "Debt is not an option. No one likes the suspension but it's the only position because the other two are not palatable."


Another said: "The first two options aren't options. Applying for loans is contrary to everything we understood when we started the season. It really is a non-starter."

Clubs were given £10million of government grants to begin the campaign but that funding has now run out, with the only option on the table £11m worth of loans from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which would be repayable at 2 per cent over 10 years.


Many clubs feel betrayed after being assured either funding or the return of fans when they agreed to restart the season behind closed doors in September. The DCMS has insisted it never promised further grants.

One chairman said: "The fault lies with the National League, solely. The League's position was 'play at all costs'. There was an assurance from the former chief exec that the league would not begin without fans, which everyone agreed to, but they panicked and backtracked on that.


"Everything since has been dealing with the fallout from that initial poor decision."