‘We had no choice’ – Hawks place all players and staff on furlough leave

Hawks manager Paul Doswell. Photo by Dave Haines

The club came to the decision to adopt the cost-cutting measure with the Covid-19 epidemic applying massive financial constraints within football in England.

Competitive action will not return in this country until April 30 at the earliest while pubs and clubs are closed in line with government guidelines.

The Hawks paid all players and staff in full for the month of March.

Wes Fogden, left, in action for Hawks against Hampton. Along with the rest of the club's staff and players, he has been placed on Furlough leave as the club takes action amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Dave Haines

But with the club 'shutdown' in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, director Trevor Brock revealed action had to be taken by the board.

‘That’s correct, yes (all staff and players on furlough leave),' he confirmed.

‘We’re just going to take it month by month.

‘There is so much up in the air at the moment we really had no choice.

‘The club has basically been shut down for the time being and we’ll review that with what we hear from the government.

‘We’ll have board meetings to review it when appropriate.

‘We’ll review things as things happen. It’s initially for the first month and then we’ll see.'

Hawks boss Paul Doswell is keeping in regular contact with his squad and has explained how furlough works.

Employees can receive 80 per cent of a maximum sum of £2,500 per month if businesses decided to take this step.

And following discussions with each player, Doswell is optimistic they will all be 'okay' financially during this testing period.

‘All of our players will be placed on furlough leave,' said the Hawks boss.

‘They’re all going to receive 80 per cent of £2,500, which for most of our players is what they would have received anyway.

‘Without being funny, it’s the obvious thing to do.

‘None of our players can play football so they can’t do their job and they qualify for furlough.

‘They’re all going to receive 80 per cent of the £2,500 and almost all of them on that basis will be okay.

‘I Face Time the players at least once a week individually.

‘It’s important we explain they know how furlough works and it’s important that the club support them as best they can.'

Hawks were second in the National League South table when the season was halted. With eight games to go, they are three points adrift of Wealdstone but have played a match more.