Southport FC among 81% of National League North teams calling for 2020/21 season to be postponed

Southport FC is among an overwhelming  majority of clubs from the National League North which believe that the forthcoming 2020/21 season should be postponed, unless emergency funding can be secured from the Government. 

In recognition of the financial uncertainty facing its member clubs, The National League is actively engaged with Government, with the assistance of The Football Association, to secure a critical financial support package.

‘Port Director Ian Kyle was among figures from across the club who have submitted a joint statement to the National League Board in a letter to CEO Michael Tattersall.

It follows Government announcements on Tuesday reversing their decision to allow a limited number of fans back into sports grounds this October. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared a number of new safety restrictions following the recent rise in Covid-19 cases which is likely to see fans unable to return to grounds until March next year at the earliest. 

The Sandgrounders were due to start their season with an FA Cup Second Round Qualifying game next Saturday (October 3), with their first National League North league game against Hereford on Tuesday, October 6. 

Club bosses at Southport believe The Pure Stadium is Covid ready with a series of safety measures in place to allow fans to return safely. 

Over the Summer they signed a squad full of players and went through a full pre-season programme of fixtures to get ready for the new season. 

But starting a season with no fans and no revenue would be financial suicide for most of the clubs in the National league, National League North and National League South. 

The Government confirmed today that clubs in the Northern Premier League, which includes Crosby-based Marine FC, will be able to play in front of fans this season. 

In their join statement to the National League Board, Ina Kyle and other club bosses said: “During the meeting a set of anonymous polls were conducted with the most important

question being asked of clubs; Given the simple option, no caveats attached, of starting the season or not without crowds, what would your answer be?

“The majority verdict of 81% from clubs in the National League North would be to NOT start the season, unless there was a financial support package in place for member clubs.

“The meeting considered the impact of the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round on the contractual status of players, many of whom have contracts that begin on the ‘commencement of the football season’. We are sure you are aware that clubs wrote these contracts based on information provided by the FA via the National League.

“The issue is, that should there be a delay to the National League North season then these contracts would be activated by the FA Cup fixture. This would leave clubs exposed to having to pay these players for the rest of the season with obvious financial implications.”

The UK Sports Minister told Parliament today that elite sport will be expected to “look at ways in which it can support itself” through financial difficulties arising from the absence of fans.

Nigel Huddleston MP said the Government understood the recent restrictions put in place would “cause financial difficulties” to sports, but that the focus would be directed to “those most in need”.

Major governing bodies have warned of “profound” and “severe” consequences from the loss of matchday revenue.

Mr Huddleston also confirmed that non-elite sports, including football below National Leagues North and South, will be able to continue allowing spectators.

Earlier, Damian Collins MP told the House of Commons that clubs were facing financial ruin, and asked what “guarantee” Huddleston could provide to Football League clubs, in light of the £1.5bn offered to arts organisations.

“We are in discussions with major sports, including football bodies,” Huddleston said.

“Yesterday I wrote to the governing bodies of all major spectator sports to formally begin discussions and provide them with a contact point.

“I also asked the governing bodies to provide me with details of any member clubs or associations under imminent financial threat and we will be providing more information in due course.”

He added: “We recognise the impact of the decisions this week to delay the reopening of stadia over the winter will have on sport.

“The Government now will work at pace with sports to understand the issues faced by organisations facing the most challenging circumstances and assess what further support may be required.”

Elite sports have been warned that they may be unable to have fans back for six months.

Mr Huddleston said he was “unable” to give any prospective target dates for the return of fans, because of the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.

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