League restarts 6 February
League restarts 6 February
No answers on funding but the league seemingly announced that fixtures resume...
Doubt this is the last of it. Unless funding has been arranged and just not advised to the clubs yet.
Doubt this is the last of it. Unless funding has been arranged and just not advised to the clubs yet.
Re: League restarts 6 February
As ever very strange to be informed of restart but no details of funding or testing yet according to Ray on official site. Here we go again!
Re: League restarts 6 February
This whole situation is very strange
"Lions being led by Donkeys" is a phrase that comes to mind, along with a phrase about arranging drinking sessions in a brewery
If clubs agree to restart without funding issues and testing being resolved, then what was the point of the suspension, other than to put more time pressure on players to fit in games in less time.
Re: League restarts 6 February
This would be a funny joke in some satirical sketch, but as it is playing with peoples lives it beggars belief.
Re: League restarts 6 February
According to Dan Roan, the government are about to announce £10m in grants to steps 3-6, so I wonder if there's been a change of heart in DCMS regarding funding of non-league. If the National League are deciding the North and South are restarting without grants then things will get very interesting
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Re: League restarts 6 February
I hope so, but, steps 3-6 includes many more clubs than steps 1 & 2, therefore grant funding is likely to be capped at <£10k per club. This is within the rules of Sport England's Covid-19 grant scheme.
National League clubs are in a different situation, as the grants required are significantly higher for each club at a minimum of £30k per month.
National League clubs are in a different situation, as the grants required are significantly higher for each club at a minimum of £30k per month.
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Re: League restarts 6 February
Where have the NL stated that the league will restart on 6th February? The offer is still for loans to clubs at NLN and NLS, they still have to vote on it.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55818377
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55818377
Re: League restarts 6 February
Extract from BBC webpages
National League believed that there would be a continuation of the National Lottery agreement, with clubs acting as a promotional vehicle, or a central grant.
It says clubs would not have even started the league had they known it would involve loans.
DCMS rejects that view and feels the £11m on offer is upholding its funding pledge.
It is understood National League board members and FA officials were aware of the impending problem in early December, before the third and final installment of the £10m paid to clubs - the format of which has itself been the subject of major controversy and an independent review by former FA chairman David Bernstein.
Some of the findings of the review have been described as "unworkable" by more than one National League official. But Bernstein was furious when the recommendations - specifically around the allocation of money - were ignored and called the review.
It had been anticipated funding would be allocated according to average crowd size. But the National League board decided to change this at a late stage, reducing the anticipated amount received by some clubs by thousands of pounds.
The government reacted with disappointment to this, although as Camelot, the National Lottery organiser, is not a public company, it opted not to step in.
A number of clubs who lost out significantly have threatened legal action against the National League, which, it is understood, was preparing to amend the payment allocation in January, having decided not to do so in December on legal advice because Bernstein's review was released so close to the next payment date.
Helen Grant MP referred to the situation in a statement to MPs on Tuesday afternoon, saying the National League's distribution model was "flawed", adding "the botch has left many National League clubs in dire financial circumstances".
Unless DCMS & Rishi Sunak steps in with grants, as Camelot have effectively walked away, we will face a vote by National League members.
National League believed that there would be a continuation of the National Lottery agreement, with clubs acting as a promotional vehicle, or a central grant.
It says clubs would not have even started the league had they known it would involve loans.
DCMS rejects that view and feels the £11m on offer is upholding its funding pledge.
It is understood National League board members and FA officials were aware of the impending problem in early December, before the third and final installment of the £10m paid to clubs - the format of which has itself been the subject of major controversy and an independent review by former FA chairman David Bernstein.
Some of the findings of the review have been described as "unworkable" by more than one National League official. But Bernstein was furious when the recommendations - specifically around the allocation of money - were ignored and called the review.
It had been anticipated funding would be allocated according to average crowd size. But the National League board decided to change this at a late stage, reducing the anticipated amount received by some clubs by thousands of pounds.
The government reacted with disappointment to this, although as Camelot, the National Lottery organiser, is not a public company, it opted not to step in.
A number of clubs who lost out significantly have threatened legal action against the National League, which, it is understood, was preparing to amend the payment allocation in January, having decided not to do so in December on legal advice because Bernstein's review was released so close to the next payment date.
Helen Grant MP referred to the situation in a statement to MPs on Tuesday afternoon, saying the National League's distribution model was "flawed", adding "the botch has left many National League clubs in dire financial circumstances".
Unless DCMS & Rishi Sunak steps in with grants, as Camelot have effectively walked away, we will face a vote by National League members.
Re: League restarts 6 February
Restarting without testing is completely and utterly irresponsible from a public health perspective. At this level, the vast majority of other players have other jobs. It's just an unacceptable amount of community mixing for what is not, as much as many of us like it, an essential activity.
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Re: League restarts 6 February
And where did they seemingly announce this? Having checked their website and social feeds there is nothing to suggest this at all unless you know something we don't?
love it! wrote:Considering we are Darlington 1883 I'm happy that we are named correctly
Re: League restarts 6 February
https://twitter.com/Official_Darlo/stat ... 60451?s=19
It is on our twitter feed.
"The Vanarama National League has this morning informed us that fixtures in the National League North and South will recommence on Saturday 6th February.
We are awaiting further details from the league regarding funding.
#WeAreDarlo"
It is on our twitter feed.
"The Vanarama National League has this morning informed us that fixtures in the National League North and South will recommence on Saturday 6th February.
We are awaiting further details from the league regarding funding.
#WeAreDarlo"
Re: League restarts 6 February
Fixture pile-up anyone?
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Re: League restarts 6 February
The clubs have to vote on the funding proposal, I don't understand how the NL can say that the league restarts on Feb 6th unless clubs have now voted and have decided to take the loans. Are we the only club reporting it in this way, seems to be lacking some detail.lo36789 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:24 pmhttps://twitter.com/Official_Darlo/stat ... 60451?s=19
It is on our twitter feed.
"The Vanarama National League has this morning informed us that fixtures in the National League North and South will recommence on Saturday 6th February.
We are awaiting further details from the league regarding funding.
#WeAreDarlo"
Re: League restarts 6 February
I suspect it is more a case the NL assume fixtures restart on the 6th unless the clubs all vote to null and void I guess.
Almost until advised otherwise we continue.
Almost until advised otherwise we continue.
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Re: League restarts 6 February
Do the clubs see the detail and get to vote? It seems a premature announcement.
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Re: League restarts 6 February
The only positive thing from this announcement is that our FA Trophy game against Wealdstone has been given a degree of legitimacy.
If the NL can't come up with proper funding (not any kind of loan which they would expect to be repaid) for NLN & NLS clubs to finish the season, then all the clubs should refuse to play. As DJ pointed out, due to HMG restrictions we have no income from gate receipts and hence would not be in a position to repay any loan. Fixtures have piled up to such an extent (in part due to the NL imposing a 2 week cessation) that it is practically impossible to finish them before the end of May. Far better to call this season 'null & void'.
If the NL can't come up with proper funding (not any kind of loan which they would expect to be repaid) for NLN & NLS clubs to finish the season, then all the clubs should refuse to play. As DJ pointed out, due to HMG restrictions we have no income from gate receipts and hence would not be in a position to repay any loan. Fixtures have piled up to such an extent (in part due to the NL imposing a 2 week cessation) that it is practically impossible to finish them before the end of May. Far better to call this season 'null & void'.
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Re: League restarts 6 February
No not the case several club chairmen acknowledging statement but equally scratching heads as to what has changed , well come on really would we have expected anything else from NL?Yarblockos wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:44 pmThe clubs have to vote on the funding proposal, I don't understand how the NL can say that the league restarts on Feb 6th unless clubs have now voted and have decided to take the loans. Are we the only club reporting it in this way, seems to be lacking some detail.lo36789 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:24 pmhttps://twitter.com/Official_Darlo/stat ... 60451?s=19
It is on our twitter feed.
"The Vanarama National League has this morning informed us that fixtures in the National League North and South will recommence on Saturday 6th February.
We are awaiting further details from the league regarding funding.
#WeAreDarlo"
Re: League restarts 6 February
To quote Elton John “ It’s a sad sad situation and it’s getting more and more absurd “
Sums it up for me.
Sums it up for me.
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Re: League restarts 6 February
lo36789 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:24 pmhttps://twitter.com/Official_Darlo/stat ... 60451?s=19
It is on our twitter feed.
"The Vanarama National League has this morning informed us that fixtures in the National League North and South will recommence on Saturday 6th February.
We are awaiting further details from the league regarding funding.
#WeAreDarlo"
https://twitter.com/Ollie_Bayliss/statu ... 8703790084
Just in from Ollie Bayliss.
It seems loans are the default position at steps 1 & 2 unless a club is in financial difficulties, as has been said by others already it seems the National League have jumped the gun as there has yet to be a vote.
It's almost as if they're making it mandatory.
Last edited by quaker4life on Wed Jan 27, 2021 2:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
love it! wrote:Considering we are Darlington 1883 I'm happy that we are named correctly
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Re: League restarts 6 February
Double post, please delete.
love it! wrote:Considering we are Darlington 1883 I'm happy that we are named correctly
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Re: League restarts 6 February
This could get very messy, and very legal, very quickly.quaker4life wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 2:13 pmlo36789 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:24 pmhttps://twitter.com/Official_Darlo/stat ... 60451?s=19
It is on our twitter feed.
"The Vanarama National League has this morning informed us that fixtures in the National League North and South will recommence on Saturday 6th February.
We are awaiting further details from the league regarding funding.
#WeAreDarlo"
https://twitter.com/Ollie_Bayliss/statu ... 8703790084
Just in from Ollie Bayliss.
It seems loans are the default position at steps 1 & 2 unless a club is in financial difficulties, as has been said by others already it seems the National League have jumped the gun as there has yet to be a vote.
It's almost as if they're making it mandatory.
The National League are insisting we start our fixtures again on 6th February, with no option yet of a vote on ending the season.
The DCMS are insistent that funding will be provided, predominately, as loans which clubs do not want to take.
The National League knows this, but their stance at present is we play on.
What a shambles. What on earth are the National League board doing?
Re: League restarts 6 February
Without income aren't all clubs at steps 1 & 2 in financial difficulties?....so are the DCMS therefore giving every club a grant?quaker4life wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 2:13 pmlo36789 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:24 pmhttps://twitter.com/Official_Darlo/stat ... 60451?s=19
It is on our twitter feed.
"The Vanarama National League has this morning informed us that fixtures in the National League North and South will recommence on Saturday 6th February.
We are awaiting further details from the league regarding funding.
#WeAreDarlo"
https://twitter.com/Ollie_Bayliss/statu ... 8703790084
Just in from Ollie Bayliss.
It seems loans are the default position at steps 1 & 2 unless a club is in financial difficulties, as has been said by others already it seems the National League have jumped the gun as there has yet to be a vote.
It's almost as if they're making it mandatory.
Re: League restarts 6 February
Darlofan97 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 2:25 pmThis could get very messy, and very legal, very quickly.quaker4life wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 2:13 pmlo36789 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:24 pmhttps://twitter.com/Official_Darlo/stat ... 60451?s=19
It is on our twitter feed.
"The Vanarama National League has this morning informed us that fixtures in the National League North and South will recommence on Saturday 6th February.
We are awaiting further details from the league regarding funding.
#WeAreDarlo"
https://twitter.com/Ollie_Bayliss/statu ... 8703790084
Just in from Ollie Bayliss.
It seems loans are the default position at steps 1 & 2 unless a club is in financial difficulties, as has been said by others already it seems the National League have jumped the gun as there has yet to be a vote.
It's almost as if they're making it mandatory.
The National League are insisting we start our fixtures again on 6th February, with no option yet of a vote on ending the season.
The DCMS are insistent that funding will be provided, predominately, as loans which clubs do not want to take.
The National League knows this, but their stance at present is we play on.
What a shambles. What on earth are the National League board doing?
we will be back like we were last week with clubs unilaterally announcing they are not playing and defying the NL to do anything in way of sanctions against a large number of clubs
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Re: League restarts 6 February
I think it will be more to do with the ability to pay off the loan long term unless, reading between the lines, you are heading to the wall you will be "invited" to take out a loan if you are at level 1 & 2.
I'm with Darlofan97 on this it could very messy, very quickly.
love it! wrote:Considering we are Darlington 1883 I'm happy that we are named correctly
Re: League restarts 6 February
Hopefully enough clubs will stand together to render any order to play under these circumstances meaningless.
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Re: League restarts 6 February
I thought the clubs were given 3 options, one of them being to stop the season, so how do the league know what’s what without a vote?
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Re: League restarts 6 February
The club put out a post about it this morning.Yarblockos wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:01 pmWhere have the NL stated that the league will restart on 6th February? The offer is still for loans to clubs at NLN and NLS, they still have to vote on it.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55818377
https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/league- ... urday-week
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Re: League restarts 6 February
There is an article on the BBC web page now. Apparently we will be asked to fill out a form and apply for a grant.
I wonder if clubs like York with cash in the bank will be successful- I wonder if we will be successful?
I wonder if clubs like York with cash in the bank will be successful- I wonder if we will be successful?
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Re: League restarts 6 February
"Grants will be considered if a club's imminent future is at risk"theoriginalfatcat wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 4:05 pmThere is an article on the BBC web page now. Apparently we will be asked to fill out a form and apply for a grant.
I wonder if clubs like York with cash in the bank will be successful- I wonder if we will be successful?
I'm pretty sure DJ has said our cash reserves mean we are not in imminent danger.
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Re: League restarts 6 February
Then you have the issue of clubs being rejected? You don't need be a rocket scientist to see where this could potentially start going wrong when clubs are refused grants and then in turn refuse a loan, it'd be interesting to see what the criteria for each is.theoriginalfatcat wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 4:05 pmThere is an article on the BBC web page now. Apparently we will be asked to fill out a form and apply for a grant.
I wonder if clubs like York with cash in the bank will be successful- I wonder if we will be successful?
love it! wrote:Considering we are Darlington 1883 I'm happy that we are named correctly