FA National League System: brief update

The FA have written to all clubs at Steps 3 to 6 with a brief update:


“We wish to provide the following update to Clubs in relation to the potential continuation or curtailment of the 2020/21 season at Steps 3 to 6 of the National League System (NLS).

The Alliance Committee (Steps 3 & 4) and Leagues Committee (Steps 5 & 6) met on 8 and 9 February, respectively, to discuss the data that was collated following the recent surveys circulated to Clubs at this level of the game.

During discussions, the Committees acknowledged the likelihood that the Prime Minister will set out a ‘roadmap’ to the nation on 22 February as to how Government intend to begin to reduce the current COVID-19 restrictions.

Given that any such update from the Government on 22 February may provide the Committees with additional, relevant information to help determine the preferred route forward, they have agreed to reconvene after this date.

In addition, the Alliance Committee are also conscious of the ongoing process the National League (Steps 1 & 2) are undertaking and the potential impact this could have on any actions the Committee may choose to take.

We will provide an update in due course.”

On behalf of the Alliance and Leagues Committees

https://www.isthmian.co.uk/fa-national-league-system-update-65117

Enfield Town supporters will, as ever, be updated once further information becomes available

Into the Null and Void

Andrew Warshaw’s report in the February edition of Enfield Dispatch on the club’s recent AGM appears below:

Enfield Town FC’s members have voted overwhelmingly to accept a board recommendation to declare the season ‘null and void’.

The vote came in response to a questionnaire from the Isthmian League, with club chair Paul Reed warning of the financial consequences of trying to play on without fans through the turnstiles or any secondary income such as bar sales.

Since the start of the second national lockdown back in November, the Towners have been able to fulfil just one solitary fixture – the fateful FA Trophy defeat against Maldon & Tiptree in December – with a number of Town players instead moving a division higher to play in the second step of the non-league pyramid, where games are still permitted.

Enfield were third in the Isthmian Premier Division when the league campaign ground to a halt in November and, although the option of a mini-season starting in March was still on the table at time of going to press, the more likely outcome remains a second successive voided campaign. It has left the club’s board feeling frustrated, disappointed and realistic in equal measure.

Paul told a well-attended virtual AGM last month: “No-one wants to watch games more than I do, but this is the situation we find ourselves in as a board. It’s not a position any of us want to be in.

“We have to balance the short-term desire of all of us to play football versus the longer-term financial stability. Trying to play now and force the issue with not as much income means we run the risk of not having sufficient funds to put together a competitive side next season.

“If were forced to play within a condensed period, we could minimise losses by further cutting the budget next season, but that could potentially mean failing to compete in the way we would like.”

Paul’s comments drew widespread support from those attending the meeting via Zoom, with 94% backing the decision to bring an early end to the season.

Paul continued: “We’ve had to face a whole new world of operations and finances that we didn’t even know existed 12 months ago. We have seen our secondary income heavily reduced.

“There has been no clarity on government funding to step three clubs [such as Enfield Town]. We believe the vast majority of the money talked about will come in the form of loans, so whatever we can take we’d have to pay back.

“There are no assurances of promotion and relegation either, so what would we be playing for?”

On a brighter note, Paul praised fans for their generosity and understanding during the toughest period in the club’s recent history.

“By far the biggest positive of the last 12 months has been our people; the financial support from our members, the work from our volunteers, in really trying conditions.”

The meeting also saw the election to the board of this correspondent, as a numerical replacement for the outgoing Ken Brazier, who received a well-deserved accolade for his tireless dedication over the past seven years.

As a passionate fan, I decided to put my own name forward in order to help maintain the club’s standing in the community, widen its appeal as the country’s first supporter-owned club, and enhance its exposure on and off the field – in whatever way I can.

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Club Shop Delays

We are fully aware that many online purchases that have been ordered/bought, since our launch in November 2020 , are still in the process of arriving in the UK from manufacturers based abroad.

Covid has affected the delivery process, due to manufacturers’ closures in Italy and the UK, and since the 1st January there is additional administration for goods from Europe.

We are putting as much pressure as we can to get items  so we can get them to you as soon as possible.

We can only apologise for the delays and will use this experience, to improve our service to deliver online orders in an efficient and timely fashion in future.

We are very grateful for your patience and support in this matter, please bear with us so we  get your items to you.

The Board/ClubShop Team

FA update on Steps 3-6 clubs’ survey

The Football Association have issued a brief update following a recent survey of Step 3-6 clubs covering preferred ways forward in the light of the covid-19 pandemic:

“We would like to provide an update in relation to the recent survey sent to clubs at Steps 3 to 6 of the National League System. 

Submissions were made by 99.1 per cent of clubs at Steps 3 and 4 and 95.8 per cent of clubs at Steps 5 and 6. We would like to thank the clubs for submitting their views and the time taken in providing responses at what we appreciate it an incredibly challenging time for everyone.

Our alliance and leagues committees now have a large amount of data and information to consider before determining a proposed way forward. Ultimately any proposal made by the committees will be put to our council for consideration. The council will then make any final decision on a way forward.

The alliance and leagues committees recognise the desire for clubs to be updated whilst these issues are being carefully considered. Therefore, both committees commit to providing updates to leagues and clubs as the process progresses; and remain mindful of the difficulties faced by clubs at present. Further information will follow in due course.”

Enfield Town supporters will be updated as quickly as possible in due course.

https://www.thefa.com/news/2021/jan/27/step-3-to-6-nls-survey-update-20210127

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Dual Registration Arrangement for Jon Muleba

Town defender Jon Muleba has joined Vanarama South club Hemel Hempstead Town on a dual registration basis. The Tudors continue to play behind closed doors at elite level and Jon will be available for their scheduled home league match against Oxford City tomorrow (Tuesday 19th January). Manager Andy Leese said: “We were approached by Hemel who said they were in need of a full back, and I am happy for Jon to get some game time while we’re not playing”.

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Isthmian League statement: 8th January

The Pitching In Isthmian League have today communicated with their member clubs as follows:

“The Board of the Isthmian Football League has, together with our fellow Trident Leagues, reviewed the implications of the latest government lockdown. The matter was also discussed at length by The FA’s Alliance Committee earlier this week.

In order to reach a decision that will apply across Steps 3 & 4 in the National League System, and which is informed by the views of all clubs at Steps 3 & 4, you will shortly be asked by the Football Association to provide your club’s views on whether the 2020/21 season should be terminated and, if not, what the alternative should be. This will take the form of a short survey.

Independent of that survey, all three of the Trident League’s boards hold the view that the season should cease immediately and be declared null and void.

The ultimate decision lies with The FA Council, following a proposal made by the Alliance Committee but no proposal will be drafted until Clubs’ views have been collated and assessed.

In the meantime, the Isthmian Football League is postponing all fixtures up to and including Saturday 6th March since there is no suggestion that the national lockdown will be lifted prior to said date.”

Full statement: https://www.isthmian.co.uk/pitching-in-isthmian-league-statement-64923

The League will continue to provide its Member Clubs with updates as and when it is able to do so. Enfield Town supporters will be updated similarly. In the meantime, take care and stay safe.

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Online club shop orders

Due to unforeseen issues with our suppliers, we regret that unfortunately some orders may not be fulfilled befor Christmas. Sincere apologies to everyone who is still waiting. We are working flat out to dispatch all orders as quickly as possible.