Well I don’t write many blogs, but I can make an exception in this case, looking at the current status of the National League at Steps 1 & 2 and how the National League season is carrying on while the North & South divisions ended up null & void (subject to ratification), let’s begin.
A warning this is a lengthy look at it all, I’ll try and explain in as much detail as possible, without being too dull!
So Step 1& 2 football was deemed ‘elite’ last season which meant the play-offs could take place, at both levels, the National League didn’t have to fight for this, North & South levels did, they took place, teams went up, teams went down, PPG was used to determine place standings for it and that was it.
Of course the last campaign ended with many knowing the issues were on the horizon for this one.
The start
This season so nearly didn’t begin for the 66 clubs, the ruling was initially no fans and it simply wouldn’t get underway, there was real concern this would be the case.
We entered the final few days before a breakthrough and a change was announced, with funding secured on the Wednesday speaking in the House of Commons, minister for sport Nigel Huddleston, stated.
“It will be based on those most in need. It will absolutely be focused on gate receipts”
There were final meetings taking place and with 24 hours to go, confirmation was received, the season at both Steps 1 & 2 would begin, thus contracts would be started, but with funding in place that would help balance the loss of gate receipts and other factors, there was hope.
The funding
The League was allocated a £10m National Lottery grant lasting 3 months, and able to distribute to teams as they saw fit, this is where the problems began.
In total around £6million went to the National League sides and £4 million was given to North and South teams.
The difference in the 3 months of funding compared to last season’s average home attendances:
- York City 2705 (£108k)
- Woking 2139 (£252k)
- Chester 2019 (£108k)
- Darlington 1471 (£90k)
- Boreham Wood 724 (£252k)
As you can see it was stark, there was also an issue for teams like Notts County who were one of seven teams who gained the highest amount available, they weren’t happy, despite their attendances being a lot more the lowest ones at Step 1, they were getting £33k more in total, while North and South teams saw their figures be less than half of Step 1 teams at best.
All this led to an independent panel being set up and led by David Bernstein looking at the funding he was disappointed at how the league responded to the findings.
Clubs were eventually sent the report with some submissions redacted, due to confidentiality reasons.
The breaking point
There had been a lot of hard work carried out by teams to get games on, and they were getting ready for another raft of funding for January with no fans present when the major issue was brought it.
A meeting between National League & FA representatives took place with DCMS on this subject.
What was discussed was clearly open to interpretation, NL took it as grants, DCMS as an agreement that loans were the offer, unless under exceptional circumstances.
It all came to a head after a series of zoom meetings, the options were set out as:
- Clubs take loan (terms under negotiation)
- National League take loan & issue as grant, likely to impact future central distributions
- Suspend the season
Step 1 wanted to carry on, for Step 2 it was decided the season would be suspended for a fortnight.
The hope was a media campaign and petition would lead to DCMS offering grants not loans, that wasn’t to be the case.
Again loans from Sport England were the main talking point but even the interim GM Mark Ives warned that talks over the details of the loans would continue to ensure clubs didn’t break league rules
The Resolution
On February 1st, the Resolution was to be sent out.
On the same day the League themselves launched a petition and a media campaign to try and reverse the grant funding decision.
This is where thing started to get more complicated.
Teams were given a 28-day period to vote, due to legal reason this had to be the case.
There were 4 parts to it, there was confusion, some clubs stated they needed more information on the matter.
Step 2 was due to commence again that week, but teams were in a difficult situation, why would a club spend money they didn’t really have on games that could be declared null & void at any moment? Some simply couldn’t afford to play, I know 1 team who cut back as far they could and it still wasn’t viable for them to play.
THE CHARGES
Teams who could not play were warned of a being in breach of Rule 8.39.
8.39Where a match has been postponed for any reason, the two Clubs concerned must agree within seven (7) days of the postponement a new date (which shall, save in exceptional circumstances, be within 42 days of the original date) and in default the Board is empowered to order Clubs to play on a date it considers suitable. The Competition Secretary shall determine the new date.
Any Club without just cause failing to fulfil an engagement to play a Competition match on the appointed date shall for each offence be liable to expulsion from the Competition and/ or such other disciplinary action the Board may determine, including the deduction of up to a maximum of three points from the offending Club’s record, any expenses incurred by their opponents, and a fine.
In the event of a Club being in breach of the previous paragraph of this Rule then the Board may award points to the Club not at fault as if the match had been played and the League table shall reflect the position as if the match had been played with the result awarded by the Board.
This caused concern for teams who did not play, surely their situation would be deemed ‘just cause’, but what would happen if it wasn’t?
These charges will be heard at some point soon, but an important notice by the League was they told clubs no fines/sanctions have been raised or recommended.
This also led to a weird situation, some teams who could play couldn’t due to not having an opponent, it led to both sides of the argument being left frustrated.
The testing
While these ‘elite’ games have been taking place during a pandemic there has been no mandatory testing in place.
This is something that many haven’t been able to get their head around, a journalist said that must have been a mistake on my part when I told him, but of course it hasn’t been.
I know of players who have had to isolate during these times, with them being part-time, their other job has been affected as well.
All this caused a lot of concern and upset, this virus has obviously affected all our lives, to not have any form of mandatory testing, while teams have been travelling up and down the country, some where social distancing can’t be observed has been concerning to say the least.
DCMS announced Lateral flow tests are being given to clubs, whether this is enough to put people’s minds at ease, with their success rate, remains to be seen.
The vote
On February 1st, the Resolution had been sent out, 1 team issued their reply just a few hours later.
For others it was a lot more complicated, board meetings took place, some changed their minds, 1 club was set to go null & void and went play on after more talks.
What became clear very quickly was whichever way it went some teams would be left unhappy, the way some teams went about this with their position being completely different to last season’s vote was interesting, but every club would as we all knew go for their best interests, I have nothing against that, I personally did not like some clubs who called others out, all 66 had been made an intention of funding that did not happen, this was not the time to be turning on each other.
In the National League North, just four matches from three gamedays took place, it was clear which way that was going, the National League South was mixed, while the National League was always going to carry on, in some form, due to the two promotion places to League Two on offer.
Thursday 18th February, a weird day, different people were getting in touch saying they thought the result would be announced then, but some Step 2 teams still trained on the night, because again who knew what could happen, at least 1 team found out the result while their players were training, for a game that would never happen.
Step 1 carries on and null & void vote was confirmed, subject to ratification for Step 2, a relief for some, the start of a new battle for others, it ended as:
Resolution 1 passed, each Step voted for themselves
For Step 1:
National League: 13 to continue, 7 to null & void
For Step 2
National League North: 15 null & void, 7 to play on
National League South: 9 null & void, 12 to play on
The total: 24 null & void to 19 to play on
The Outcome
I have got to say covering all this hasn’t been easy, some of the messages I received crossed a line, I know emotions have been running high, and yes I am a complete nobody, so I dread to think what some of those who have had a say will have got.
The reality is every single club when this season began wanted to continue, nobody starts a season hoping for null & void, nobody, yes tactical voting will have taken place for some, but this situation has affected everyone.
Step 1: It carries on, 14 wanted to, (Wrexham abstained due to the funding situation being for English clubs only) of course not for Dover Athletic, who will not play again this season unless the grant situation changes, King’s Lynn Town have stated they will for now, Wealdstone have asked for a delay for their ground grading submission. While some can and will play on, it will be a struggle for others and who knows what that will lead to.
Step 2: Nearly £4m in National Lottery funding has been spent, staff & volunteers have worked hard to prepare their clubs to be Covid safe, players have travelled & played during a pandemic, many have had isolation periods, all for what in the end?
THE FUTURE?
Well, this needs ratifying by the FA, if no promotion from Step 2 is confirmed there is no relegation from Step 1.
That being said 18 Step 2 teams are looking at their legal options & what they can do next, as they look for a mini-league to begin, time is against them though.
The situation has been difficult for all teams, players & staff, many will be put on furlough until that scheme ends.
This has of course been unprecedented, but lessons need to be learned & addressed over how clubs ended up here & the many frustrations they feel.
Hopefully next season we can all just get back to playing, watching & enjoying football, at whatever level.
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