Sports Minister to meet National League clubs in bid to prevent season being scrapped due to funding crisis

But unless they are told that financial help is going to arrive in the shape of grants rather than loans, it appears his bid to provide a solution to a massive problem looks almost certain to fail

In a letter to all 66 clubs, Huddleston insisted they must be willing to ‘open their books’ to show grant funding is necessary rather than the loans which are being offered for January, February and March as part of the Government’s Sport Winter Survival Package.

‘I am sure you will agree it is fair and reasonable to have this level of scrutiny where public funding, and indeed grants, are concerned,’ he said.

Regarding the £300m Survival Package - announced last November and designed to provide cash to 11 sports, including ice hockey, badminton and greyhound racing - Huddleston said: ‘The primary objective of the scheme is to ensure clubs survive the period of restrictions.

‘However, recognising how important sport is to fans across the country, support is available to clubs to cover the cost of both surviving and playing their seasons.

‘The scheme operates on the underlying principle that support is provided to ensure clubs survive, but that this support is returned to the public purse in the very long-term where this is possible.

‘The loans being offered are, however, extremely low interest and on lengthy repayment terms of up to 20 years.’

It is believed the interest rate is two per cent and clubs will be allowed to take a two-year payment holiday.

Huddleston’s online meetings are tomorrow and next Tuesday. ‘We’re aware of the need to move quickly,’ he told clubs.

In his letter, Huddleston also wrote: ‘It is vital that all sports and clubs are treated equally.’

The National League clubs will argue that is not the case – they are still being asked to play games behind closed doors and pay their players’ wages.

That is not the case lower down the pyramid, where leagues are currently paused.

The meeting with Huddleston tomorrow will be the clubs’ second with a senior politician in two days – some officials, including Hawks director Trevor Brock, took part in an online meeting this morning with Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer and Alison McGovern, the shadow Minister for Sport.

Starmer was highly sympathetic to clubs’ concerns, but time appears to be running out with regards to solving the crisis.

The South and North divisions are currently suspended for a fortnight as the league aims to find a solution to the funding crisis.

Games are due to restart on Saturday, February 6 - though Hawks won’t be returning that day as they have an FA Trophy tie against Notts County at Westleigh Park.

The league have already told clubs in the sixth tier to rearrange the fixtures postponed due to the fortnight’s suspension.

But without any sign of the Government staging a U-turn on their decision to only offer loans, many clubs are expected to vote for the season to be binned when they are formally asked for their views by the National League next Monday.

At Westleigh Park, Hawks’ main concerns surround health and safety.

That was the number one factor in deciding to enter the club’s third period of 10-day self-isolation in 31 days last Thursday.

Directors didn’t feel the National League weren’t taking health and safety as seriously as they should be.

Hawks are calling for mandatory weekly testing in the South division, as they are concerned about their players coming into close contact with others on opposing teams who might have been on building sites and other non-socially distant workplaces between games.

That is a situation unlike any other ‘elite’ sport league/competition in England.

Hawks have tested all their squad on a weekly basis in recent weeks, but mandatory testing has never been something the National League have insisted upon.

Mandatory weekly testing wasn’t even an issue in the EFL until recently, with the Professional Footballers Association paying for clubs in League 1 and League 2 to have twice-weekly testing.

No such financial support has been made available to the National League even though, like the EFL, it is classed as an ‘elite sport’ league.

Hawks’ health concerns are shared by NL North club Southport, who are keen to stop the season if no grant funding is forthcoming.

Director Ian Kyle recently said last week: ‘Safety has been a constant concern, both in respect of the stadium, coach travel, and ensuring that grounds we visit are COVID safe.

‘We have continued to date on the basis that we had the backing and support of the National League in that continual striving for safety.

‘Unfortunately, attitude shown towards the club by the National League through December and January have, rightly or wrongly, left us questioning this support.

‘At a recent National League meeting, I tried to raise the issue of safety for our players, staff and volunteers but was informed that it was not the correct forum.

‘I am not aware that a ‘correct’ forum has to date been made available for this specific discussion.

‘It is for these reasons, and not necessarily the loan/grant argument, that we have voted to suspend.

‘My view, and that of my fellow directors, is that health and safety should be discussed before finances.’