National League v Government etc

This one has passed me by totally. Just listened to Yeovils owner regarding what can only be described as a 'debacle'........... in a nutshell.

* NL clubs and authorities had meetings with Govt regarding financial help whilst fans not allowed in grounds

* Govt offer a large grant fund to assist clubs

* All agreed........ happy days......

* Govt then deny it was a grant and it was actually a repayable loan

* Clubs lobby Govt and want the meeting minutes as no club was aware it was in loan form and were all told it was a grant

* The minutes are nowhere to be seen and have as yet never been provided

* Clubs state that many of their constitution's don't allow loans anyway so couldn't accept regardless

* NL clubs set up online petition to get proof and a resolution

I had no knowledge of this. Sounds like a complete **** show.

 

What this Govt. lying, whatever next

 

if you think the EFL board are incompetent wait while you see how the NL board measures up!

the above is a fair summary. NL clubs have limited income streams , mainly fans in the gate, club house and bars etc.

The initial grant of 11 million came from the national lottery not the government to cover lost gate receipts from having no fans, the NL board decided to give step 1 clubs 90k or 96k and then step 2 clubs 36k or 30k per month(no idea why) failing to take into account attendances at all. Maidstone for example in NLS step 2 get 2500 fans and Boreham Wood in NL step 1 get 800. Boreham wood got 3x the funding. An independent enquiry held by David Bernstein asked them why and they refused to disclose.

The clubs via the NL were assured grants would be forthcoming if fans were still absent, the minutes of this meeting seems to be up for debate with both sides not being able to prove otherwise. Its clear that the clubs would not have started playing if grants weren't the option going forwards.

There is a resolution sent to clubs yesterday asking them what they'd like to do, basically carry on with loans or stop. they've got 28 days to respond, meanwhile they have to carry on without funding or C19 testing. No covid testing is taking place at all in the NL unless clubs are doing it optionally. theres no funding to help with this.

the season is at a point where they are asking clubs if they would like to take a loan of over 100k so another club can get promoted! ive not idea which way the vote will go but its clearly a situation that isn't equal, some clubs constitution will not allow for a loan, others wont take one.

Step 1 and Step 2 are considered elite sport so are allowed to play on, the government really dont know how non league works if it thinks step 2 especially is elite.