National League North and South season declared null and void

[Happy chappy]

Sit tight everyone it ain't over yet.
There's loads still going on behind the scenes and here is just one example...

Dear Mr Ives,

Following the results of the voting on the National League resolutions dated 1 February 2021, we write to you on behalf of the clubs that voted to fulfil the 2020-21 National League North and South season.

We feel the options presented in the resolutions did not provide an alternative solution to a Null and Void scenario and the result of Resolution 3 was very closely divided with a very small majority determining that the season will be ended with immediate effect. However, as a league of members (66 clubs) the vote delivered a majority result in favour of continuing the season albeit you chose to adopt the four votes each rule for NLN and NLS as opposed to one each for the NL.

We believe that the 19 clubs at Step 2 that wish to continue, should be afforded an opportunity to do so, with playoffs and promotion, as per normal.

We believe the following reasons support the resumption of the 2020-21 National League North & South seasons:

· Our feedback and experiences week to week leave us in little doubt that the majority of our communities and supporter base are under extreme strain within the current lockdown conditions. Looking forward to better times and more normality is a large part of keeping people positive. We believe that a Null and Void scenario would negatively impact the mental health of our supporters and communities.

· Our supporters, season ticket holders and commercial partners have demonstrated a huge amount of goodwill and faith by retaining their season tickets and accepting that their interaction with their club will be remotely and digitally rather than what they signed up for and attending matches. A Null and Void season would require either substantial refunds or carrying over the

commercial and ticketing revenue into next season. This would have a huge impact on future commercial revenues.

· With the outcome of the vote being Null and Void in Step 2, the ability to have promotion and relegation between Steps 1 and 2 is lost. Promotion and Relegation within the National League system is a fundamental value which the league has worked hard for over the years and which was the motivating driver in reaching a sporting conclusion to last season. We feel it important for our relationship with the EFL that both promotion and relegation be retained at Step 1 and Step 2.

· Last year, although the clubs voted to curtail the season, the playoffs and automatic promotion places were sanctioned, and we believe a similar approach should be adopted this season to maintain the integrity of the overall competition.

· All clubs have accepted financial support from the National Lottery for the months of October, November and December and also FA grant funding in order to prepare and proceed with league matches behind closed doors. Those conditions remain and we feel we have an obligation to proceed and complete the season having already accepted that funding.

· We have all invested considerable sums, by entering into contracts and taking on liabilities on the basis the season would progress to a full conclusion whether behind closed doors or not. How are we expected to now reconcile this investment and commitment? Numerous clubs are entering dialogue with Sport England regarding grant and loan funding to continue operating and are exploring every option to fulfil this season.

In summary, we respectfully request that the league strongly consider that the two divisions at Step 2 continue playing their seasons, either separately or as one.

We believe that this is in the best interests of all National League members allowing the league to cater to the needs and drivers of all clubs in a sympathetic manner, allowing those who wish to continue to do so, and those who cannot or do not wish to continue to end their season.

Promotion and relegation can be maintained between the National League and National League North and South in order to recover a full National League of 24 clubs next season, as well as maintaining the integrity of our relationship with the EFL.

Yours in Football,

AFC Fylde – David Haythornthwaite

Gloucester City – Alex Petheram

Boston United – David Newton

Havant & Waterlooville – Trevor Brock

Chelmsford City – Steve Shore

Hemel Hempstead Town – Dave Boggins

Chorley – Graham Watkinson

Hungerford Town – Patrick Chambers

Concord Rangers – Antony Smith

Kidderminster Harriers – Neil Male

Dartford – Dave Skinner & Steve Irving

Oxford City – Paul Lyon

Dorking Wanderers – Marc White

St Albans City – Lawrence Levy

Eastbourne Borough – John Bonar & David Blackmore

Welling United

Ebbsfleet United – Damian Irvine

York City – Jason McGill

As usual the NL have made or forced a decision through and not thought about or it seems even discussed the repercussions. They have now more problems on their hands than before and it will be interesting to see how they will get round the latest developments.

The above clubs have ambition to move on and progress as clubs. The clubs who voted to end the season should really be playing in regional league next season.

[Ajaxman DFC]

Now step 2 is out of the way the National League, according to The Derbyshire Times, have agreed to accept free Covid testing kits from the government for step 1 (EFL 3).
The stench becomes more acrid everyday.

[Happy chappy]

Now step 2 is out of the way the National League, according to The Derbyshire Times, have agreed to accept free Covid testing kits from the government for step 1 (EFL 3).
The stench becomes more acrid everyday.

Like a vast majority of us I'm fuming how this has been handled.
I can see a lot of people walking away from non league football after the way this been handled. There confident must be shattered how inadequate the national league committee or what they call themselves are.
There must be a huge doubt over a lot of clubs future at our level

[Ajaxman DFC]

I believe the non- league community will be even stronger after this debacle.
There is a lot of respect for the game at our level and below all the way up to the higher echelons of the game.
After all, if it wasn't for non-league football would high flying Leicester City be reaping the benefits of Jamie Vardy's goals as well as bagging a Premier League title along the way.
The National League are on their own here and with reference to Marc White's interview the hole is getting bigger for them.
The Non-League Paper could be an interesting read tomorrow with plenty of reaction to the events of the past few days.
What they will have to write about for the rest of the season I'm not sure, other than a few match reports from League 3, which should now really be covered by The Football Paper instead of the NLP.

[the duke]

There is an excellent 25 minute interview with Oliver Ash from Maidstone Utd F C on their Fans Forum under " Oliver Ash - Periscope " where he basically exposes the total inadequacies of the National League Board Members and WHY the current " cock ups " happened
Well worth a listen !!!!!!!!!!!

[Aprouddart]

It seems the National league's view of a democratic vote is a bit Orwellian, in that all votes are equal but some are more
equal than others. One thing for sure I cannot see the league having the balls to issue any fines or points penalties
to the teams that refused to fulfil their fixtures over the last few weeks, which is insulting to the teams such as us, that
went to the expense of honouring their commitments all for nothing.

[Park Life]

The saga continues, latest interview from my friend at Dorking:-

https://www.pscp.tv/w/1RDGlPRabjNGL

Legal challenges, NL breaking it's own rules????
It's an absolute mess.

[Happy chappy]

The saga continues, latest interview from my friend at Dorking:-

https://www.pscp.tv/w/1RDGlPRabjNGL

Legal challenges, NL breaking it's own rules????
It's an absolute mess.

I think mess is an understatement.
The NL board needs to fall on their swords ASAP as clearly they are cluless

[Tungsten Dart]

It sounds like Marc White has some watertight arguments. I am sure a vote of no confidence in the National League board would pass with flying colours - it is pretty appalling if they are unaware of their own rules. The decision to stifle the Bernstein report did nothing for their credibility.

Time to go.

[Ajaxman DFC]

Apparently the season is still on hold for clubs from Steps 3-6. I can only think they are awaiting the outcome of the promotion/relegation debacle at levels 1 & 2.
I can't see the point in playing otherwise. Would it mean the likes of South Shields and Worthing finding themselves top of their respective leagues only to be told they won't be promoted yet again?
The pyramid pipe is a vital supply line stretching from the Premier League all the way down to South East Counties league levels and beyond.
Unfortunately, there is currently a very serious blockage right bang in the middle of it.
It's called the National League.