2020-21 National Leagues seasons in limbo
September 22. 2020
- Posted in:
- non league news
Following todays announcement from the government that the return of fans to sports events from the 1st of October has been put on hold has left the 3 national leagues in limbo. It has been reported that the national league had decided that the 3 leagues could not commence whilst fans were not permitted and for this reason the start of the season was delayed until 3rd October as there was an expectation that a level of fans could return.
The 3 national leagues (premier, north and south) at steps 1 and 2 of the non league system were deemed to be elite back in June. Initially only step 1 was deemed to be elite but certain vocal clubs at step 2 had argued that step 2 was elite. The definition of elite being where a living was drawn from playing the sport by the participants. The elite status meant that playoffs could take place at step 1 and 2.
Steps 3 and below seasons were abandoned as null and void. As these steps were not deemed elite the season for these steps were able to start at the beginning of September with limited crowds present.
Step 1 and Step 2 clubs are now arguing against the elite status and want to be treated as per the lower steps and allowed to start with limited fans. The National League are due to meet with member clubs this week to discuss a way forward.
It is not looking hopeful that the league season will start on the 3rd October for the National League Premier clubs unless the clubs agree to start the season without fans. Step 2 National League North and South clubs are due to begin the season on the 3rd of October with the 2nd Qualifying round of the FA Cup whether clubs at Step 2 would be prepared to play these ties without fans will also be for discussion.
Unless concessions are agreed in the short term with the government indicating that the new measures could be in place for 6 months the Step 1 and 2 league seasons are in serious doubt. This could then have an impact at Step 3 with regards to promotions. A previous complication of the National League Premier having promotion to League to was to guarantee that the clubs relegated from EFL 2 would have a season to play in in 2020-21. Due to the demise of Bury in the 2019-20 season only one side was relegated from EFL 2, Macclesfield were finally relegated due to points deductions, they have subsequently been wound up in the high court due to unpaid debts. Providing that this decision is not overturned the complication around the relegated club and the receiving league guaranteeing football seems to have gone away.
The question will be what to do about the FA Cup, step 3 and below sides have begun the competition and there is an understanding that the qualification rounds will be completed by the date for Round 1 when the EFL 1 and 2 sides enter the competition. If steps 1 and 2 clubs are not willing to play then presumably the lower sides will be given byes to Round 1.
Can Steps 1 and 2 start the season without fans is not a simple answer there are a vast array of crowds and budgets between the clubs at these steps and even within a step. The vast majority of Step 1 clubs are full time and there also exists some full time clubs at step 2. As I understand it the part time clubs are not necessarily paying the contracted wage to their players until the season begins, the same is probably not true for full time clubs. A number of clubs have sold season tickets against the advice of the National League no doubt some of this money is being used to keep clubs afloat. At step 1 there are probably budgets of between say £300000 and £2 million which is a vast difference, There is probably an equally vast ray of difference at steps 2. The Dagenham chairman has again expressed a desire for the government to aid the national leagues and has suggested £20 million should cover it. Where he gets his maths from and how he expects the monies to be distributed is not clear. The 2020-21 season has 67 clubs across the 3 leagues. Streaming of matches has been muted by fans and it sounds like it had been agreed in principle, whether for example a £10 pass for each match would draw enough interest for each club to help with finances seems doubtful and with the prospect of no fans returning to the Premiership and Championship means that match streaming will continue with matches being played could be streamed at the same time as National League games. The same is true for EFL1 and 2 sides, EFL sides at Division 1 and 2 perhaps only agreed a season start due to streaming and the prospect of fans returning in October; these leagues must also be in jeopardy at the moment.
Todays Government announcement of tighter measures does not remove the possibility of a full lock down and curtailment once again of all sports
The 3 national leagues (premier, north and south) at steps 1 and 2 of the non league system were deemed to be elite back in June. Initially only step 1 was deemed to be elite but certain vocal clubs at step 2 had argued that step 2 was elite. The definition of elite being where a living was drawn from playing the sport by the participants. The elite status meant that playoffs could take place at step 1 and 2.
Steps 3 and below seasons were abandoned as null and void. As these steps were not deemed elite the season for these steps were able to start at the beginning of September with limited crowds present.
Step 1 and Step 2 clubs are now arguing against the elite status and want to be treated as per the lower steps and allowed to start with limited fans. The National League are due to meet with member clubs this week to discuss a way forward.
It is not looking hopeful that the league season will start on the 3rd October for the National League Premier clubs unless the clubs agree to start the season without fans. Step 2 National League North and South clubs are due to begin the season on the 3rd of October with the 2nd Qualifying round of the FA Cup whether clubs at Step 2 would be prepared to play these ties without fans will also be for discussion.
Unless concessions are agreed in the short term with the government indicating that the new measures could be in place for 6 months the Step 1 and 2 league seasons are in serious doubt. This could then have an impact at Step 3 with regards to promotions. A previous complication of the National League Premier having promotion to League to was to guarantee that the clubs relegated from EFL 2 would have a season to play in in 2020-21. Due to the demise of Bury in the 2019-20 season only one side was relegated from EFL 2, Macclesfield were finally relegated due to points deductions, they have subsequently been wound up in the high court due to unpaid debts. Providing that this decision is not overturned the complication around the relegated club and the receiving league guaranteeing football seems to have gone away.
The question will be what to do about the FA Cup, step 3 and below sides have begun the competition and there is an understanding that the qualification rounds will be completed by the date for Round 1 when the EFL 1 and 2 sides enter the competition. If steps 1 and 2 clubs are not willing to play then presumably the lower sides will be given byes to Round 1.
Can Steps 1 and 2 start the season without fans is not a simple answer there are a vast array of crowds and budgets between the clubs at these steps and even within a step. The vast majority of Step 1 clubs are full time and there also exists some full time clubs at step 2. As I understand it the part time clubs are not necessarily paying the contracted wage to their players until the season begins, the same is probably not true for full time clubs. A number of clubs have sold season tickets against the advice of the National League no doubt some of this money is being used to keep clubs afloat. At step 1 there are probably budgets of between say £300000 and £2 million which is a vast difference, There is probably an equally vast ray of difference at steps 2. The Dagenham chairman has again expressed a desire for the government to aid the national leagues and has suggested £20 million should cover it. Where he gets his maths from and how he expects the monies to be distributed is not clear. The 2020-21 season has 67 clubs across the 3 leagues. Streaming of matches has been muted by fans and it sounds like it had been agreed in principle, whether for example a £10 pass for each match would draw enough interest for each club to help with finances seems doubtful and with the prospect of no fans returning to the Premiership and Championship means that match streaming will continue with matches being played could be streamed at the same time as National League games. The same is true for EFL1 and 2 sides, EFL sides at Division 1 and 2 perhaps only agreed a season start due to streaming and the prospect of fans returning in October; these leagues must also be in jeopardy at the moment.
Todays Government announcement of tighter measures does not remove the possibility of a full lock down and curtailment once again of all sports