Chorley and fellow National League North clubs vote in favour of NOT starting the 2020/21 season without crowds

A video meeting was held yesterday with representation from the majority of member clubs to discuss the financial implications of the government’s announcement that supporters will not be allowed entry in to stadiums from October 1 2020.

The new campaign is due to begin on Tuesday, October 6 while clubs are set to play in the FA Cup second round of qualifying on Saturday, October 3.

The Magpies take on York City away from home in their opening league fixture.

During the meeting a set of anonymous polls were conducted with the most important question being asked of clubs:

Given the simple option, no caveats attached, of starting the season or not without crowds, what would your answer be?

The majority verdict of 81% from clubs in the National League North would be to NOT start the season, unless there was a financial support package in place to help member clubs.

The meeting also considered the impact of the FA Cup second qualifying round on the contractual status of players, many of whom have contracts that begin on the ‘commencement of the football season’.

A statement issued by the clubs to the chief executive of the National League said: "We are sure you are aware that clubs wrote these contracts based on information provided by the FA via the National League. The issue is, that should there be a delay to the National League North season then these contracts would be activated by the FA Cup fixture.

"This would leave clubs exposed to having to pay these players for the rest of the season with obvious financial implications.

"Elite status was debated at length, because as you are aware National League North and South clubs were granted elite status in July 2020.

Therefore, the question was asked why do clubs from Step 1 receive one vote per club and Step 2 only receives four votes per league? We believe the decision regarding when to start the National League should be democratic across all members due to the financial implications of any decision on member clubs.

"This is never more apparent following the government’s decision on Tuesday and we request that we should be treated equally and have one vote per club across the whole National League system."

"These are views shared by clubs in the National League North and we ask that they are represented at the National League Board meeting taking place today."