With so much uncertainty on what will happen to lower league football this season, Basford United’s Vice Chairman has shared his views, on his preferred outcome.
Basford United, who are in the seventh tier of English football, haven’t played a league game since October 27.
In the middle of December 2020, the Northern Premier League announced that clubs could resume their league fixtures from December 19.
However, Basford decided to postpone their Boxing Day game due to the ever-changing situation surrounding Covid. The club had still been playing cup games, until they were knocked out by Peterborough Sports on December 19.
Vice Chairman, Stan Mitchell, has expressed his views on the clubs desired outcome of this season would be in a public statement:
“Any final decision on a null and void situation should be delayed as long as possible, until there is a clearer picture regarding the country coming out the the current national lockdown.”
The country then went into lockdown on January 4, so they have not been able to continue with any of their fixtures and there has been no decision confirmed about the outcome of the current season.
“The League should not resume play unless the majority of clubs, subject to the end of the national lockdown, are in tier two level of restrictions, so that fans are allowed into grounds and secondary income is possible,” Mitchell said.
Last year, the season was concluded null and void and the Lions finished fourth in the league. This season they sit second after nine games.
The FA council have said that, as long as all teams have played a minimum of 75% of their games, then a points per game system could be used to conclude the season, which the National League used last season.
There is also some concern over the financial impact that Covid is having on ‘non-elite’ teams which Mitchell also explained: “We have considered the financial impact of refunding both season ticket holders and sponsors against the benefits of additional income on match days and removing players from the Government’s furlough scheme.”
“We strongly believe that failure to reach a conclusion to the current season, would mean that the previously mentioned costs place the 2021-22 season under significant financial duress.”
Mitchell’s statement shows his eagerness to get Basford and other clubs back playing weekly football, which fans all over the country have been missing.
By Emma de Duve and Ashleigh Holland
