Lesley Griffiths MS insists Wrexham AFC entitled to fair share of financial support leaderlive.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from leaderlive.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
ALDERSHOT chairman Shahid Azeem has slammed the government for “moving the goalposts” on non-league football funding, but says a decision from cash-starved clubs on the National League season should be imminent.
The 66 clubs from the National League, National League North and National League South have been asked by the league to decide the outcome of the season, after it was revealed that £11 million due to be offered as part of the government’s Sports Winter Survival Package would be in the form of costly loans, rather than grants.
Clubs have about a month to consider their position and vote. But given the severity of the situation, with the National League North and South in the midst of a two-week suspension, Azeem expects a swift outcome.
Hungerford Town chairman Patrick Chambers concerned as league season could be cancelled
The government have announced non-league clubs may have to loan money to continue
Liam Headd
);
HUNGERFORD Town chairman Patrick Chambers has been left frustrated with the way the funding for the National League has been handled.
Clubs across the National League system (Premier, North and South) started their league campaigns in October after receiving £10m in grants from the Government.
But after a number of recent board meetings, it was announced that the next installment of funding would be given out as loans rather than grants.
As a result of the news, the vast majority of clubs opted to suspend the North and South divisions for two weeks in the hope that the issues can be resolved.
Announcement marks first round of funding from Government’s Sports Winter Survival Package
Confirmation that clubs in National League Steps 1 and 2 can apply for grants if their imminent future is at risk and they can demonstrate loans are unaffordable
The funding will be provided in the form of grants. Clubs in Steps 3-6 will be contacted directly by the Football Foundation with full details and will be able to make an application from tomorrow. Funds will be distributed quickly to clubs through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.
It is the first award to be announced from the Government’s £300 million Sports Winter Survival Package that is focused on helping those major spectator sports severely impacted by coronavirus restrictions survive the winter.
Peterborough United president Darragh MacAnthony called on other owners to join forces and sue the government.
“All clubs in EFL need to put legal fund together to look at suing government over bailing out other industries and leaving ours to wither away with no loans on offer or proper help whilst stopping us earning a living,” MacAnthony wrote on Twitter.
“The government need to open their wallets now like they did with other industries.”
MacAnthony’s comment come after the government placed more parts of south east England into Tier 3 restrictions.
The move means that, after weeks of small crowds, Peterborough’s matches will go back behind closed doors again.