National League News & Updates

thought i'd start this ( as most seem to have accepted our fate), so that we could keep up to date with the goings on in the Non League hell that awaits

can be both on the pitch and off the pitch stuff.

On the pitch Sutton are looking good for the automatic promotion place, as Torquay implode due to their horrendous injury list. Wouldn't be unhappy to see that as Torquay is always a fun weekend away and Sutton is just horrible to get to

Off the field various clubs are in danger of getting themselves into a pickle financially .We've heard about Kings Lynn and Wealdstone becoming worried, whilst Halifax were forced into taking out a loan. The latest is Borehamwood, who seemed to be 1 of the better run outfits, but even they have got big problems

https://www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk/uncategorized/sport-england-say-no/

the other issue worth keeping an eye on is the possibility of  Tier 2 national League, made up of the 18-20 clubs at that level who want to play on. That means there may still be some  clubs relegated from the Nnational League

https://www.eastbourneherald.c.....gue-division-3154538

In these uncertain tmes i wouldnt look too far ahead in anything football related. Whilst football in the top 5 tiers may limp over the line this season ....i still dont see next season being a great improvement , really cant see full houses being allowed by August so i would think next season may even be a challenge for some teams.

Quoted from moosey_club

In these uncertain tmes i wouldnt look too far ahead in anything football related. Whilst football in the top 5 tiers may limp over the line this season ....i still dont see next season being a great improvement , really cant see full houses being allowed by August so i would think next season may even be a challenge for some teams.

Sounds harsh but any team (aside from the ones who voted void) now only have themselves to blame for any financial hardship and they’ll have to live with those consequences. No sympathy from me.

Would rather see Sutton stay in the NL. They’re about 5 minutes from my house!

Quoted from moosey_club

In these uncertain tmes i wouldnt look too far ahead in anything football related. Whilst football in the top 5 tiers may limp over the line this season ....i still dont see next season being a great improvement , really cant see full houses being allowed by August so i would think next season may even be a challenge for some teams.

I agree, I know the NL are continuing at the moment but if there is another covid explosion next season and fans are barred from attending matches they may well end up voiding next season which would be a nightmare for us should we go down as we would be condemned to at least another season there.

Quoted from arryarryarry

I agree, I know the NL are continuing at the moment but if there is another covid explosion next season and fans are barred from attending matches they may well end up voiding next season which would be a nightmare for us should we go down as we would be condemned to at least another season there.

difficult to see another covid explosion/lockdown when 95-99% of the u.k. adults will be fully vaccinated and plans are already in hand for an autumn/winter booster jab.
They are already planning for half capacity events in the summer ( the 4000 limit mentioned would, i'm sure, be sufficient for us in the short term)

Quoted from forza ivano

The latest is Borehamwood, who seemed to be 1 of the better run outfits, but even they have got big problems

https://www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk/uncategorized/sport-england-say-no/

That is one heck of a slap in the face for Boreham Wood. They seem to be being penalised for being a well run club!

Quoted from forza ivano

the other issue worth keeping an eye on is the possibility of  Tier 2 national League, made up of the 18-20 clubs at that level who want to play on. That means there may still be some  clubs relegated from the National League

https://www.eastbourneherald.c.....gue-division-3154538

I'm also not entirely sure how they can start a new 18-club "National League 2" at this stage of the season without compromising the National League's sporting integrity.

(Though arguably, with the nonsense that has been this season, they have already lost their integrity!)

Quelle surprise Boreham Wood, they've got themselves in a right pickle there. I've got little sympathy unfortunately as they had the opportunity to void the season and limit their debt and didn't take it. Given that they'd already been stitched up it's a case of Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice...

It's just a horrible mess in general.

The National League has a duty to look after and protect its member clubs. It just doesn't feel like they're doing that. They wrote their own get-out clause by putting it to a vote, so they can shift the blame and responsibility onto those clubs who voted to continue the season.

If it all goes mammaries up and a couple of clubs go bust, well, ain't nothing to do with us, gov. It was their decision, not ours.

There's been no responsibility or leadership from the National League board at any point. It was probably them who cocked up in the first place and failed to gain clarity on what form the money would arrive (loans or grants) although, where this government is involved, I don't want to absolve them of the blame either.