Cancellation of season to have massive impact on all clubs:
Non – league clubs such as Sutton Coldfield Town FC are most at risk financially as a result of the Coronavirus.
Monday 30th March 2020
Cancellation of season to have massive impact on all clubs:
Non – league clubs such as Sutton Coldfield Town FC are most at risk financially as a result of the Coronavirus. By Adam Holt
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has had an unprecedented impact on the footballing world, with authorities trying to figure out the next steps for the current seasons, as to whether seasons should be declared void, or whether to continue the season at a later date, once the Coronavirus crisis is over.
A decision was made on Thursday night that the seasons in that “steps three to six have reached a consensus that their 2019-20 season will now be brought to an end, and all results will be expunged.” Which was explained in the FA statement released on Thursday. This statement also covered the Women’s game, with results also being expunged. Further to this, there is to be no promotion or relegation, even if (which is the case) some teams have already sealed promotion.
One example of this situation is Tier 9’s Jersey Bulls, who have won all 27 of their games with an astonishing +97 goal difference and a 20-point lead.
A decision was made on Thursday night that the seasons in that “steps three to six have reached a consensus that their 2019-20 season will now be brought to an end, and all results will be expunged.” Which was explained in the FA statement released on Thursday. This statement also covered the Women’s game, with results also being expunged. Further to this, there is to be no promotion or relegation, even if (which is the case) some teams have already sealed promotion.
One example of this situation is Tier 9’s Jersey Bulls, who have won all 27 of their games with an astonishing +97 goal difference and a 20-point lead.
The FA also stated in their statement that “today’s steps take into account the financial impact during this uncertain period, whilst considering the fairest method on how the sporting outcomes for the season will be decided with the integrity of the leagues in mind”.
This announcement directly affects teams in 91 non-league divisions. One such club, Sutton Coldfield Town FC of the Northern Premier League (Tier 8) is going to be greatly impacted by the FA’s decision, with director Alex Moloney stating how “nothing is open, not even the 3G or any of the other sporting activities we host on site” and on the financial status of the club he said that “naturally we aren’t making any money, but we aren’t spending much either!”
This makes it clear how much of a seismic impact that the Coronavirus crisis will have on football, particularly in grassroots and non-league football as with no income, but no expenditure either is a dangerous situation to be in for any sort of organisation or business as clubs’ futures at this level of the game are heavily reliant on the crisis ending as soon as possible and on any financial help from authorities and/or from football clubs higher in the football pyramid.
We are yet to see whether seasons in the professional game will be concluded. One thing is for certain, this is an unprecedented situation that football clubs and the authorities are now faced with.
This makes it clear how much of a seismic impact that the Coronavirus crisis will have on football, particularly in grassroots and non-league football as with no income, but no expenditure either is a dangerous situation to be in for any sort of organisation or business as clubs’ futures at this level of the game are heavily reliant on the crisis ending as soon as possible and on any financial help from authorities and/or from football clubs higher in the football pyramid.
We are yet to see whether seasons in the professional game will be concluded. One thing is for certain, this is an unprecedented situation that football clubs and the authorities are now faced with.