Alan Mak: ‘This is important for national football – it’s important we have fair play and good governance’

The Havant MP has been widely praised by Westleigh Park officials for his help in getting the play-offs back on the table after they had been taken off it last Thursday.

Director Trevor Brock told The News his ‘absolutely phenomenal’ work in a short period was instrumental in ensuring a major U-turn was performed by the National League.

Mak explained the chain of events which led him to getting quick answers from Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston that backed Hawks’ claim the play-offs should be held if safe to do so.

‘The Hawks sent me an email in the early hours of Friday morning, around 1am, and I replied at 6am that day,’ Mak recalled.

‘I was going to the Leigh Park area anyway that morning so I just made a quick diversion to Westleigh Park.

‘The meeting lasted a couple of hours and the urgency of the situation was explained to me.

‘I went away and drafted the first round of letters (to Huddleston and National League chairman Brian Barwick).

‘I worked on this most of the day on Friday and all day on Saturday, plus two hours on Sunday and an hour on Monday.

‘I spoke to Nigel on Friday night and again on Saturday morning, and after that I sent a second letter to the league saying there was no government obstacle (to the play-offs taking place).

‘I met with Nigel on Monday as I wanted to get some clarity. I will be speaking with him again and keeping him informed about the situation.’

Mak added: ‘I’ve been working hard on this, because of the importance of the club in their community and for the fans who are hanging on the decision.

‘But it’s also an important issue for national football - it’s important we have fair play and good governance, and I felt this was a matter which needed to be acted on quickly.

Mak, a ‘lifelong’ football fan, is a season ticket holder at Westleigh Park. Co-incidentally, he hails from York, whose football team have also benefited from his work on Hawks’ behalf.

‘I try to get down to Westleigh Park when I can,’ said Mak.

‘I recently helped the club to get a £25,000 government grant to help them through Covid, and because we’ve got a good relationship we were able to work together on this quite quickly.’

Mak has had an acknowledgement from the league for his two letters he sent to Barwick, but as of yet no detailed reply.