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.
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