Scott speaks out

Leamington chairman Jim Scott has told The Non-League Paper that Leamington would only be able to play without crowds in the very short term - and believes that the country is at a crossroads as to whether to carry on with life.

'If it's short term we would probably ride it out but if it's going to last any significant period of time then it will be a problem.  We are at home on December 28th and January 2nd.  It will be two of our bigger gates of the season and it'll probably hit us £6,000 or £7,000 per game.'

'When you take that as a percentage of our overall gates for the season it's probably 15 per cent disappearing in two matches.  Then it will come down to whether we get any financial support or not or fight our way through it.'

'At what point is enough, enough?  My gut instinct is that where possible we need to get on with life but you've still got to heed the data and where it's at.  I think we're getting to the tipping point where we may have to learn to live with it.'

Cost of living crisis in 1921

The Courier was preoccupied with the cost of living crisis and high prices in Leamington at the end of October 1921.  ‘It is generally agreed that in Leamington, as elsewhere, the housewife is being charged far too much for meat and other articles of food, and the time has arrived when a substantial drop will have to be made.  People simply cannot afford to pay, and it is a question as to how much longer they will be able to hold out.’

‘That butchers are demanding prices of the average housewife which, when compared with the wholesale charges, are unwarranted, was illustrated at the meeting of the Warwick Joint Hospital Board on Wednesday, when it was reported that good quality was being supplied to the Heathcote Hospital at 1s 6d a lb.  (£3.75 in 2020 prices).  The housewife would be glad to receive similar treatment. It may be argued by the butcher that public institutions get a preference owing to their requiring large quantities, but this cannot apply to Heathcote where there are six patients – the size of an average family. 

It is clear that some butchers are not as desirous of grabbing the last penny as others, and there are shops in Leamington where meat can be had at fairly reasonable prices.  The housewife is advised to seek them out.   Enquiry will soon show, and it it worthwhile – if indeed it is not a public duty to do so.  Bring the butchers into closer competition.   Where prices are obviously too high, why not transfer custom elsewhere?’

The Mayor, Councillor England, intervened in the debate: ‘I feel very strongly so long as the prices of foodstuffs are kept up we cannot expect a drop in the standard of wages, and until we get a fall in wages, we shall continue to have unemployment.’    [1921 saw a severe post-war recession and unemployment was at 11.3 per cent.  After rising by over 15 per cent in 1920, inflation fell in 1921].

‘Mr Leonard Lees of the Master Butcher’s Association was cynical when we told him this morning that the farmers might conceivably help consumers in the fight against high prices by arranging a direct supply.  “They would find there is not so much in it after all,” he said.  “The butchers lost money after control went off, and we had a shocking time for six months.”   The farmer’s point of view is quite reasonable, however, and as a consumer he naturally expects retail prices to bear some relation to what he gets for his cattle in the market.’

‘The failure of retail prices to move in line with producers’ prices costs the consumers 2.25d per lb on his beef, 5d per pound on his mutton, and 2.5d on his loaf.  Or, put in another way, had the consumer benefitted to that extent, the Ministry of Labour cost of living index on October 1^st, instead of being 110 per cent, would have only been 103 per cent above the 1914 level.  At Banbury the fight has had beneficial results.  Yesterday well-fed English mutton was sold at 8d a lb (£1.65 in 2020 prices) and the vendor’s stall was cleared in an hour.   

The reduction in the price of bread in Leamington has come to pass, so that the quarter loaf now cost 11.5d over the counter and one shilling if delivered.  (£2.50 at 2020 prices).   The Birmingham and District Master Bakers’ Association last night decided to reduce the price to 11d at the counter from Monday.  Why cannot Leamington bakers follow suit?

[From the Leamington v. Kettering programme]

Grateful for the point

I was glad to come away from the Your Co-op Community Stadium this afternoon with a point after a 1-1 draw with Stockport.   It was a scrappy start to the game, but then we went ahead after good work by Turner set up the goal.   A defensive error allowed the visitors to equalise before half time.

Southport came at us in the second and won corner after corner.   Another outstanding save by Weaver ensured we got at least a point.

Far too much hoofball, play it on the ground.  

Brakes get podcast mention

I discuss my recent book on football for an American podcast, Leamington does get a mention at the beginning: http://www.eplpod.com/?p=3409

Brakes go 4th

Brakes went 4th in the National League North after beating York City 2-0 this evening at the Your Co-op Community Stadium in front of 675.   The early opening goal by Turner was particularly good and Brakes were 2-0 ahead at the break.

The Minstermen piled on the pressure in the second half, but Brakes stood firm and the visitors failed to take their chances.  Weaver was on top form and made one really outstanding save.

The Harbury Lane end sang 'You're getting sacked in the morning'' at the end of the game and that could well happen although York have a habit of sacking managers after a game at Curzon Ashton where they go on Saturday.

York have the second highest budget in the league. 

Baker-Richardson scores Goal of the Day

Courtney Baker-Richardson made it two in two for Newport County on Saturday.   He made a fierce drive into the top of the corner from the edge of the area.   The EFL show said it could well be goal of the day.

Former players score in the EFL

Two former Brakes players scored in the EFL on Saturday.  Courtney Baker-Richardson scored his first goal for Newport County. He fired an unstoppable right-footed shot into the top corner of the net.

Colby Bishop scored in Accrington Stanley's 2-1 win over Ipswich Town.

We made hard work of that

Leamington are through to the third qualifying round of the FA Cup after beating Stone Old Alleynians 3-1, but we made harder work of it than we should have done.

Perhaps our first minute goal made us complacent, but we were casual.  We couldn't keep possession, were second to the ball and lacked movement off the ball.   The visitors were playing football and it was no surprise when a Tomlinson header from a corner made the score 1-1.

They could have made it 2-1 but for an excellent double save from Weaver on 30 minutes.  It was difficult to tell which was the Midland League side.

Whatever Paul Holleran said at half time, we started to look a bit more threatening and eventually went ahead.   A penalty scored by Dan Turner made it 3-1.

Credit to Dan Meredith who made some good moves on the right.

'Second best all over the pitch'

I wasn't able to go to the Spennymoor Town game as I had Covid, but the video highlights looked promising.  Playing Brackley away after 48 hours was a tough test.

Yesterday therefore came as a shock.   As Paul Holleran said, we were second best all over the pitch.  Right from the off, apart from an early flurry, we had difficulty in stringing passes together and keeping the ball on the ground.  We were often second to the ball.

We did look better at the start of the second half and their goalkeeper did have to make some good saves.  But we never looked like getting back in the game.  We are now fourth from bottom, albeit with games in hand.

Transfer fees boost revenue

The annual report of the club has been released ahead of the annual general meeting on June 27th,

The loss for the year was £22,284 compared to £52,282 in 2019. The accumulated loss now stands at £64,148 up from £43,814.

Transfer fees were up from £20,000 to £62,500 without which the loss would have been much worse.

The report notes, ‘It continued to be a challenge for the club to retain our National League status whilst operating on a playing and management budget that remains substantially below the average of our competitors. It is a credit to the structure and operational stability of the club and the manager that it continues to attract players when the financial rewards for them are greater elsewhere.’

The total revenue of the club increased from £331,000 to £359,800.   The playing budget is £205,000.

The club was able to offset this loss in revenue from the suspension of the league with increased revenue from the transfer fees for Colby Bishop (to Accrington Stanley) and Josh March (to Forest Green Rovers) during the season and increased prize money due to a good FA Trophy run.

The club concluded a five year stadium naming deal with Midcounties Cooperative at £20k in the first year.

Step 2 clubs treated as second class citizens

Leamington chairman Jim Scott has backed Hemel Hempstead chairman David Boggins who has argued that Step 2 clubs are out on a limb.

A majority of Step Two clubs voted in favour of a no confidence resolution in National League chairman Brian Barwick at an extraordinary general meeting on Wednesday, but they didn't carry enough weight to be successful.

Scott told The Non-League Paper: 'A lot of the clubs voted as a protest vote.  They were voting for different reasons, but they knew it was almost certain all the National League clubs wouldn't do the same - turkeys don't vote for Christmas, and the National League clubs want control.'

'At the moment we are effectively second-class citizens - we have no voting power, our votes are worthless.' He hopes that new National League general manager Mike Ives can be a catalyst for change.

'Mark is on top of that, he understands that.  He recognises there needs to be a more equitable distribution of voting power.'

'It isn't good for the National League to have the whole second tier unhappy with their input to the running of the organisation.  It's very important to see if we can do a reset and get a more equitable governance of the league.'

'My view is that Mark Ives will form some sort of working group that looks to address some of the concerns of Step 2 clubs.'

Holleran interview

Paul Holleran is now one of the longest serving managers in English football.  He has had a couple of interesting offers, but everything fits at Leamington.   The most difficult period was when we were relegated from the National League North and then lost in the play offs at Hungerford: https://francismorrisbcu.wordpress.com/2021/04/18/twelve-years-and-counting-for-paul-holleran/

Mournful mayor condemns drunkenness

This article was íntended for the Chester programme or any subsequent home match:

Drunkenness in Leamington was a big issue in February 1921, the Mayor claiming that the good reputation of the town was in danger.   Prosecutions had increased from 16 to 37, eight against women while eight persons were prosecuted for Sunday drunkenness.   In a table of twelve similar towns, Leamington was second in the table for drunkenness.   The town was in third place for licenses per head of population.   Not only were most of those prosecuted local people but ‘In most of the cases we have had of disturbances, quarrels and obscene language the excuse has been given in almost every instance that the person charged had had drink’.

The Chief Constable provided some factual background.   There were 76 licensed houses in the borough, 15 beerhouses [under legislation in the reign of King William IVth] and 22 off licenses.   Given a population of 26,713 in 1911 this was one licensed house for every 236 inhabitants.   In addition there were 12 clubs at which intoxicating liquors were sold.   Licensed premises were visited at irregular periods by the police and were found to be well conducted.   Two premises had been closed for being structurally unsound.

Giving a robust reply to the Mayor, Mr Coleman of the Licensed Victuallers Association complained about the mayor’s ‘mournful demeanour’ while congratulating the chief constable for being ‘cheerful’.  The publicans of Leamington stood today with a perfectly clean sheet.  The population was now 31,000 and there a number of pubs were about to be closed meaning that there was just one for every 350 people.   

The increase in drunkenness was not confined to Leamington, ‘being common throughout the country.  It was to be attributed to the fact that people now had more time on their hands, and a natural sequel to the relaxations following the war.’  Mr Coleman complained that one application to turn one pub into an early version of what would now be called a gastro pub had been turned down.   It was evident that the bench did not want full meals being served in licensed premises.  The clerk intervened to say ‘By eatables the justices think that bread and cheese, pork pie or something of that sort should be available for customers to eat with their beer.   It is the continual drinking and no eating which does the mischief.’

On the football pitch, the long awaited game between Foleshill Albion and Leamington Town in the third round of the Midland Daily Telegraph cup took place.    There was a record crowd at the Albion ground.  The visitors had the advantage of the wind behind them and took the lead after ten minutes with a superbly placed corner followed by a clever header from Okey.   Some good open play followed, but the Leamington defenders put in some hard tackles.   Foleshill equalised and the play became fast with excitement high.  Hartlett and Jonas battled it out on the right and the Spa man was twice penalised for holding.   Eventually an unmarked Okey was able to put Leamington 2-1 ahead.   

After the break Checkley stopped an attack on the Spa goal but as a result had to go off injured.   However, Walker scored for Town with a brilliant shot over the keeper.   Town sat back a little and Albion penned Town back.  Albion made it 3-2 with a tap in and then won a penalty through which they equalised.   With the strong wind behind them Albion made it 4-3 five minutes from time.

Vote is virtually 50-50 says Scott

Leamington chairman Jim Scott is not surprised that voting on the fate of the season has drifted into a third week.  He told The Non-League Paper 'My understanding is that the combined vote is virtually 50-50. It's Brexit revisited.'

'None of us know what the financial situations are within various clubs. The reality is that if some people are being disingenuous and using it as an opportunity to cut their losses, none of us will know who they are.  I don't think there is any doubt there will be some of that.  Some will think "We're not in a very good place financially, what is the value of seeing this out?"'

'In an ideal world, everyone would want to continue, though there may be one or two clubs with the Covid issue that are so significantly against playing that it would still be an issue.  You have to respect that too.'

The NLP thinks that are a narrow majority of Tier 2 clubs are in favour of declaring the season null and void.  The chairman of Hemel Hempstead thinks this would widen the gap between the first and second tiers.

  

Boiling point!

That is the headline on The Non-League Paper's coverage of the National League crisis.   Clubs will have to decide tomorrow what happens to the rest of the season, although the League's preference is for the season to continue.   

It is possible that Step 1 will continue, but not Step 2.   Less likely, but just about possible, is that National League South would continue but not the North.   My sense is that more clubs in the south think they are in a position to continue.

For example, Dorking Wanderers have stated that they have £500,000 of sponsorship and commercial revenue.   Their suggestion is that individual clubs could be allowed to opt out.

The repayment terms for loans are two per cent interest over ten years with a two year holiday on interest and capital or a four year holiday and repayments up to 20 years.

Sport England will decide whether some clubs might get a mixture of grants and loans.

My view remains that it would be unfortunate if the season was to end for Leamington, but I do not know the size of the financial gap.   I have been in touch with the board to offer funding and hope to have a further conversation after the league comes to a decision.

Courtney goes to The Hive

Courtney Baker-Richardson has joined Barnet on loan from Barrow: https://www.barnetfc.com/news/2021/january/welcome-to-barnet-courtney-baker-richardson/?fbclid=IwAR20j5pXn_FgS8SAuljLFn2RSLuAwE5gPFsB6SAjif-HO6p9_0HMMn8RShI

The Barnet story acknowledges that his greatest success in scoring goals was at Leamington.

Wishing Courtney all the best in this later step in his career.   He has certainly seen a lot of England and Wales!

Season to come to an end?

Unconfirmed reports are stating that the DCMS intends to provide £14m of funding to Step 3-6 clubs mainly in the form of grants.  National League clubs will get £11m mainly in the form of loans.

National League clubs will then have to vote on whether to end the season, currently suspended for two weeks.

A detailed analysis of the situation is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55818377?fbclid=IwAR02S9uxgRfl6tortFohZ3t8rsN_A0Z8znzRLXHeXgL32ART9S_3ifl19Co

If the season is ended, there needs to be thought about how the team can be held together and maintain fitness for a hoped for resumption in August.   It is unfortunate that this has all happened when we have been putting in some good performances.

I am uncertain what will happen to the FA Trophy.

Chesterfield's MP has asked for grant support to keep the National League going: https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/north-derbyshire/news/national-league-funding-chesterfield-fc-toby-perkins/

Tier 1 clubs want season to continue

The majority of Tier 2 National League clubs wanted to take a short break, while Tier 1 clubs wanted the season to continue without interruption, according to The Non-League Paper this morning.

The report also notes, 'clubs are facing up to the reality that further funding for the season will be through government loans despite continued lobbying for the money to be shared as grants.'

The idea of the National League taking on a loan to pass on to clubs has been taken off the table as the overwhelming majority of clubs oppose it.

There is an interview with Leamington chairman Jim Scott. He emphasised the need for definite answers by the end of the two week suspension. He said: 'I know some clubs are close to being insolvent or unable to continue now, for other clubs that will happen in a month.'

A DCMS statement makes it clear that their view is that National League funding was not promised as grants.  They add: 'If any individual Step 1 and Step 2 National League club can demonstrate it is in critical need of support and would be unable to repay a loan, grant applications will be assessed on a case by case basis.  They will, of course, be subject to the same rigorous process that we apply to other sports.'

Jim Scott's perception was that any need for funding post-December would be in the form of grants.  It appears that the National League and FA have a  different interpretation of the meeting that took place with DCMS'.

The DCMS secretary of state is a relatively junior Cabinet minister and is also being pressured from other directions for money, e.g., festivals want a government backed insurance scheme.   At some point the Government is going to want to stop incurring further liabilities.

Stepping up to the plate

The board of Leamington FC faces some difficult choices.  They are in possession of all the relevant information so anything I say is from behind a veil of ignorance.

I think that the classification of the National League North and Soith has created some problems, albeit it has allowed us to continue playing.   Some clubs are full-time like moneybags AFC Fylde, but many are community clubs like us.

One thing I am sure about is that the secretary of state will not be persuaded to turn loans into grants.  The Government is already heavily in debt and giving money to football clubs is not generally popular.   If money is given it should really be focused on community clubs contributing through training schemes for youngsters etc.

A judgment about whether to accept loans or not is a difficult call.  I just think it is unfortunate to suspend the season when we are doing so well.   Will it be possible to reassemble the team in the summer?   What will happen to Hollers?  We will incur some fixed costs anyway: the pitch has to be maintained and the electricity supply, such as it is, connected.

Last summer fans raised over £30k for the club.   I only put in a few hundred then but if the board gives the green light I am willing to put in a four figure sum and I don't mean £1k.   I hope others would step up to the plate as well.   After all, I would rather give it to the club than to the taxman in a rumoured wealth tax,

Since I wrote this post, the National League has been suspended for two weeks.  Fans hope this will put some pressure on the secretary of state.   I am sceptical, but hope they are right.  It is possible he might come up with a face saving formula where clubs were given money for their community facing activities.

Poppies boss wanted to replay second half tonight

Poppies boss Paul Cox has his say about last night's extraordinary events at the Community Stadium: https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/logic-and-common-sense-went-out-window-says-poppies-boss-cox-after-ridiculous-night-fa-trophy-3106226

It will be interesting to see how the same journalist writes this up for the Courier.   Paul Holleran's comments have now appeared: https://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/sport/football/mixed-feelings-victorious-brakes-boss-holleran-after-bizarre-evening-3106328

Joe Dunham's report is now available and it is full of praise for the football skills of the Brakes under Paul Holleran: https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/kettering-town-0-leamington-3-jon-dunhams-review-3106551

I do not think the second half could have been replayed tonight as Dunham suggests because there has been heavy rain (as forecast) and even our pitch couldn't cope.

As for the incident involving the Klattering captain, there are different versions of this, but it is at least possible that he touched the referee which is not permitted.

I understand that the FA had an observer at the match which is just as well.

Happy days are here again (sort of)

Congratulations to the team on a win against giant killers Chorley in freezing conditions last night.  I wasn't able to see the match, but here is a rather grudging report from the home side: https://www.chorleyfc.com/2021/01/12/recap-leamington-h/?fbclid=IwAR0_suWfbfV04RzagMTpnI4f0RsMSWRLi-JyVuRi2S8UufWCGGpr4ML5mvI

This has been one of our best spells on the pitch for some time, but for understandable reasons we can't enjoy it in person.  Mind you on a freezing day, I don't mind a stream.

Osborne goes

Sam Osborne has joined ambitious AFC Fylde for an undisclosed fee.  He has been a great player for us and I wish him well for the future.   Holleran knows how to spot talent that has been neglected and can be developed.

Some fans have expressed disappointment.   They knew he was going, but hoped it wouldn't be to another club in our own division.  AFC Fylde, of course, think they are entitled to play in the EFL.

I would describe their ambition as 'vaulting ambition over reaching itself' to misquote Shakespeare, but then I am not one of their supporters.  They did get relegated from the National League.

Another great product was Colby Bishop who scored two goals against my league club Charlton to win the game for Accrington Stanley last night.  The defence handed him the opportunities on a plate, but he took them with great composure and was a threat throughout the game.

My match preview pointed out that he would be a threat: https://addicksdiary3.blogspot.com/2021/01/bishops-move-for-accrington.html

They were full of praise for Colby on The Football League Show on Sunday, not just for his goals on Friday.

Barking mad

2020 was an eventful year in football to say the least.   Amid all the understandable concerns about health and safety and finances, a little light relief was provided by a story in The Non-League Paper headed 'Barking mad as dog ends a match.'

The United Counties Premier Division match between Leicester Nirvana and local rivals GNG Oadby Town appears to have been a fiery affair with two players having been sent off.

Then a large Alsatian belonging to a home supporter repeatedly invaded the pitch.   The owner did not respond to requests to bring his dog under control.   The owner and dog then stood in front of the opposition technical area for three minutes and refused to budge, despite coaxing from match officials.

With 12 minutes left to play the match had to be abandoned.

Before the pandemic I received pictures on Twitter of well-behaved 'non-league dogs' attending games.  Indeed, more than one dog attended Leamington matches and the most frequent attender wore colours and took a keen interest in the game.