Funding Distribution Debate ......in todays "Times" nespaper
#221
Posted 23 January 2021 - 01:14 PM
What if a majority outfits confirm they still wanna compete?
Couldn't the NL be sued for restriction of trade or summat?
#223
Posted 25 January 2021 - 04:34 PM
Dear Mr Dowden
I have recently been contacted by John Croot, chief executive at Chesterfield Football Club, regarding the financial pressures the club is facing due to the pandemic, and the suggestion that funding to help them cover the January to March period will be provided as a loan rather than a grant.
I am extremely grateful for all the support given to Chesterfield Football Club, and other National Leagues clubs, last year via grant funding. Whilst you will be aware that there was disquiet about the funding methodology used, which remains an unresolved issue, this help has been vital for smaller clubs who rely so heavily on matchday revenue. As I am sure you are aware, matches played behind closed doors also has a knock-on effect on hospitality and sponsorship revenues.
Many clubs made the decision to start the season without fans as they had been reassured that support grants will be made available to compensate for the vital revenues lost from fans not being able to return. The National League is in the unique position of being considered elite so unable to host fans but outside of the EFL so unable to benefit from the EFL scheme. It was precisely this vulnerability that led to the assurance of funds or fans being required before clubs felt confident to start the season.
All the soundings from government were that clubs would have fans in before Christmas. Obviously the pandemic situation has made that impossible, but there is no logic that I can see for funding the league on a different basis during the January lockdown to the September tiers.
Following the announcement that future funding would be in the form of a loan not a grant, they understandably feel misled and let down by the government.
It is possible that if the funding is offered as a loan, not a grant, many clubs will vote to finish the season immediately. This is bad for the fans and the game, but ploughing on with either unsustainable loans or no income will put many clubs at risk of permanent closure, which would be disastrous for communities like mine and be a waste of the grant funding previously provided.
It is also a false economy, because whilst the funding required to finish the season is around £11m, the likely furlough cost to government of all three National League divisions furloughing their staff is likely to be much more. Chesterfield Football Club is vital to my town, in terms of our economy, identity and community projects. I would urge you to reconsider and ensure that future funding is provided as a grant, as previously indicated to the clubs, many of whom have made financial decisions based on this assurance.
#226
Posted 25 January 2021 - 05:23 PM
Probably won’t be read by the wonky nosed, Chesney from Coro in 15yrs look-a-like.
#227
Posted 25 January 2021 - 05:25 PM
Following the announcement that future funding would be in the form of a loan not a grant, they understandably feel misled and let down by the government.
I'd say they should feel let down and misled by the National League Board who let them believe it was all going to be grants without bothering to confirm that with the government before allowing the clubs to believe it.
I'd suggest Mr P is assuming that the govt have changed their view rather than the NL failing to get clarification. And in a world of who can be most incompetent, there can be few who are less competent than the NL board based on round 1 fund allocation.....
#228
Posted 25 January 2021 - 06:40 PM
isleaiw1, on 25 January 2021 - 05:25 PM, said:
Following the announcement that future funding would be in the form of a loan not a grant, they understandably feel misled and let down by the government.
I'd say they should feel let down and misled by the National League Board who let them believe it was all going to be grants without bothering to confirm that with the government before allowing the clubs to believe it.
I'd suggest Mr P is assuming that the govt have changed their view rather than the NL failing to get clarification. And in a world of who can be most incompetent, there can be few who are less competent than the NL board based on round 1 fund allocation.....
To be fair he has been critical of the league, albeit on the other issue (that went beyond incompetence) this is his tweet when the news broke last week.
A loan will be bankruptcy delayed for many clubs.
@TheVanaramaNL would be in stronger position if they hadn’t made such a mess of original grant distribution but this must be a grant not a loan to support National League clubs like @ChesterfieldFC
https://twitter.com/...5030776834?s=19
#229 Guest_Quaker_*
Posted 25 January 2021 - 06:47 PM
#230
Posted 25 January 2021 - 06:52 PM
Quaker, on 25 January 2021 - 06:47 PM, said:
Yes but that’s been spent.
#231
Posted 25 January 2021 - 06:55 PM
Quaker, on 25 January 2021 - 06:47 PM, said:
Yes.
I listened to a podcast yesterday with the chairman of the Northern Premier League Mark Harris. He is of the view the treasury has taken on this issue following concerns over how the National League distributed the Lottery money, supporting Perkins point.
He also said the DCMS is a weak voice within Government, so all the lobbying may be in vain if he's right.
https://www.thenpl.c...uary-24th-65022
#232
Posted 25 January 2021 - 07:17 PM
moondog, on 25 January 2021 - 06:55 PM, said:
I listened to a podcast yesterday with the chairman of the Northern Premier League Mark Harris. He is of the view the treasury has taken on this issue following concerns over how the National League distributed the Lottery money, supporting Perkins point.
He also said the DCMS is a weak voice within Government, so all the lobbying may be in vain if he's right.
https://www.thenpl.c...uary-24th-65022
He is indeed, correct. DCMS couldn't claim to be the most influential voice in Government. The best plan would be to lobby constituency MPs of all political persuasions.
#233
Posted 25 January 2021 - 08:51 PM
moondog, on 25 January 2021 - 06:40 PM, said:
A loan will be bankruptcy delayed for many clubs.
@TheVanaramaNL would be in stronger position if they hadn’t made such a mess of original grant distribution but this must be a grant not a loan to support National League clubs like @ChesterfieldFC
https://twitter.com/...5030776834?s=19
Cheers. All for him helping out, he shouldnt make it political by blaming govt incompetence. Stick to facts and make the argument irrefutable as insults generally just lead to entrenchment....
#237
Posted 26 January 2021 - 06:44 AM
isleaiw1, on 25 January 2021 - 08:51 PM, said:
Do you think that this Government is competent? I thought it was a fair shout from Perkins. I can’t think of any area of governing, including sport, that they have demonstrated competence. Hard to take, I accept, if you were tempted to vote for them, but a fact nevertheless.
#239
Posted 26 January 2021 - 08:43 AM
isleaiw1, on 25 January 2021 - 08:51 PM, said:
Toby Perkins says nowt and is accused of inaction.
But when he argues the Club's case he's accused of politicising?
#240
Posted 26 January 2021 - 09:13 AM