National League continues as North and South divisions concluded

It’s been announced that the non-leagues top tier, the National League, will continue amid growing concerns of funding whilst its fellow divisions in the North and South divisions are to be null and voided immediately.

The news comes after growing pressure surrounding funding not continuing for clubs. Initially, clubs received grants through the National Lottery scheme but the discontinuation of these has left non-league clubs in limbo.

Funding for the early part of this year was to be through loans of which many clubs felt they could not afford and as a result decided to take stances against the league for potentially forcing them to deal with this gesture.

The withdrawal of grants in favour of loans was disputed by the league but the government ultimately stood its ground which created the current issues for clubs refusing to play as a result.

It means the National League will continue to play its season to a finale with promotion to the EFL League Two still on offer.

Sam Hart and his fellow Southend United team mates could still fall into the National League should they finish in 23rd or 24th place in League Two come the end of this season. Photo: Andy Wilkins

Resolution One was voted as follows:

In summary: Step One and Two to be split in deciding the outcome of 2020/21 Playing Season. As a Special Resolution, a voting percentage of 75% or higher was required to pass.

National League: (for) 21- (against) 0
National League North: 16-6
National League South: 9-12

Result: Passed

As a result, Resolution Four is disregarded.

Resolution Two (National League only)

In summary: The National League 2020/21 Playing Season (Step One) to be declared null and void. A minimum 51% majority was required for Resolution Two to pass.

National League: 7-13

Result: Not Passed

As a result, the National League National Division will continue to operate for the remainder of the season.

Resolution Three (National League North and South only)

In summary: The National League North and South 2020/21 Playing Season (Step Two) to be declared null and void. A minimum 51% majority was required for Resolution Three to pass.

National League North: 15-7
National League South: 9-12

Result: Passed

Resolution is passed and consequently the season at Step Two is null and void.

Note – There are two votes from the National Division that have not yet been cast, however, the outcome of the resolutions cannot be affected by these votes, however they are cast.

As a result of these votes, the National League North and South fixtures will cease with immediate effect and be null and voided as a result once more however unlike last season, no promotion to the National League or relegation from it will be the case as a result.

The National League will take the resolution outcome to The Football Association for ratification. This will include dialogue regarding promotion and relegation.

Both Concord Rangers and Hampton & Richmond Borough will no longer play anymore games. Both had spoken about the problems faced about continuing anymore. Photo: Andy Wilkins

Analysis

The end of what has been a fiasco lasting a number of weeks has now come to an end for those in the second tier of English non-league football. Clubs have put up a gallant fight against a league who quite literally misinformed them of what funding they were receiving or could be set to receive to finish the season.

That said, the very issues at hand could’ve been avoided had funding from the government come through in order to permit clubs in the National League North and South to complete their seasons already well undertaken. Though it will come to a relief for some no doubt for their seasons to end, others with aspirations at the top of the table will be disappointed.

Teams like Gloucester City, Eastbourne Borough and Hungerford Town have had two juxtaposing seasons after finishing in the bottom half of the table last season only to find themselves in the play-off places today.

Seeing the National League North and South now being null and voided may now start the wave for the rest of the non-league pyramid lower down to also be null and voided in due time as again, if games can’t be played without fans who bring in a source of funding, then it may as well be the end of many more clubs’ seasons. This news arrives less than two months after play was stopped for those at Step Three and below due to the UK going into another lockdown.

Whilst the National League will continue, it does mean that for EFL League Two sides Grimsby Town, Barrow and Southend United, who are among those fighting relegation from the Football League, there will be ramifications to their poor results.

This news mean they will be relegated from League Two if they finish in the bottom two spots with a fee of £2 million being the difference for sides in the EFL and National League.

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