Non-league football - why it’s time to call the whole thing off again

For those clubs below Conference North/South level, football is on hold for a third time in less than 12 months.

Last season ground to a halt in March, with a resumption not a viable option financially.

The start of the 2020-21 campaign was delayed until October in the expectation this would be the time when fans would be allowed back in grounds but although it did not prove to be the case, it got underway regardless.

Soon, limited numbers of fans were allowed in but before that could build, things were mothballed again.

Now, with Covid-19 cases rising at the top of the professional game, questions are starting to be asked about whether even the Premier League, with its expensive and extensive testing regime, should be suspended.

While the top six tiers of English football have permission to play through the country’s latest lockdown, the likes of Golcar are not even allowed to train.

Golcar came into 2021 having played just eight First Division North games. Some teams have played just three, and in the southern division, the Isle of Man have not kicked a ball.

So brothers Gav and Ash Connor have welcomed the decision by the Northern Premier League, Isthmian and Southern Leagues to ask the Football Association to call off their season, and hope it filters down the pyramid.

“It’s hard to plan again now,” says Ash. “I think the season will be null and void again, if I’m honest. I think we’ll maybe end up having some local competitions or something like that.

“It’s probably the right decision because we’ve got 30 games to play and for us to play them from probably April to the end of May is not realistic. The three leagues above (the so-called ‘Tripartite Leagues’) have already said they think it should be null and void and I think the North West Counties, North Counties East and the other six leagues will probably just follow them once they make their decision.

“There’s clubs with players on contract. Those lads have to be paid once they start playing again and you’re not getting the greatest of help from the FA when it comes to funds, as they’re not passing much down to levels like ours.

“Whatever level you’re at in non-league, you do need the funds to be there.

“If we can have a local tournament in April and May it’s something for me and Gav to prepare for and for the lads to look forward to and we’ll use that to set us up for next season. That’s hopefully the plan.”

Giving players the encouragement of some more localised football if the lockdown is eased in the Spring could be important, according to Gav.

“With all that’s gone on over the last few months I think everyone just needs a break from it at times, just to get a little bit of normality back,” he argues.

“It’s hard trying to prepare just not knowing if you’re going to be playing.

“Friendlies are great just to give the lads a game but you just want a little bit of competitiveness so you’ve got a reason to be there, a reason to play the game. I think a little competition would be ideal for us, just to see us into next season and hopefully start afresh in August.

“I think they just need to make a decision, call it a draw, and just move on to next season.”

Calling things off now will condemn non-league football to two wasted years but in the grand scheme of things, it may be the kindest course of action.

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