Many of you may well be wondering what is going to be the outcome for Season 2019-20 in light of the Coronavirus pandemic and why you have not heard anything from the club in recent days.
Simply put, it is because we ourselves do not know. The current situation is that all National League members, including our club, were asked a week ago to vote on a resolution that the season be ended without any further league matches being played. Clubs were asked to return their vote as a matter of urgency but in reality, the laws of such matters are that clubs could only be given a deadline of 7th May. The voting structure of the National League is that all 24 National League clubs have one vote each whilst the National League North (NLN) and National League South (NLS) clubs each have a collective four votes each. At this moment in time we await an update from the National League Board on the outcome, which will only come when they are in receipt of a majority number of votes either in favour of or against the resolution.
Should the resolution be passed, then clubs will then be asked to vote on their preferred options for how the season should be concluded. These will undoubtedly cover a range of options of which we have no firm knowledge. Discussions across football on that topic over recent weeks have ranged from: Null and Void; Points per Game (PPG) for remaining games based on a club's average PPG thus far; Promote teams in the current two top spots in each league along with a number of other possible variations. Should the resolution fail then I presume we can add completing the season to the mix.
As you can see from the above, it's a hugely fluid situation. Just these past few days ,the EFL (Leagues One and Two) announced that their preferred position would be to resume the current season at some time in the future, thus aligning themselves with the Premiership and Championship. With the lockdown being extended for a further three weeks and the health of the nation quite rightly at the forefront of everything, the perceived wisdom is that there is no chance of any football taking place before the 1st June and even that is a highly questionable unknown. If you factor in that UEFA may be looking to hold the final of the Champions League on 29 August, then the degree of uncertainty is pronounced. Where does that place us all for the commencement of Season 2020/2021?
Contracts of players at Step 2 (NLN and NLS) largely end on the last day of the season although some players will have 52-week contracts that conclude on 30th June. Whilst FIFA have provided guidance on how contracts may be rolled on for an extended seasons end, respected sports lawyers have advised that under English law no player can be forced to extend his/her contract. We certainly sit in uncharted waters!
We have always run the club on a sound financial footing but without certainty of outcome on how and when the season will be concluded it is very difficult for us to project what our year end (30 June) financial position will be. Unlike many clubs we have not approached fans for any financial support in these difficult times. We do not feel it is appropriate to do so. The financial challenges faced by many, on top of the worries of the pandemic and isolation are rightly the key priorities for individuals and their families.
The challenges ahead for the football club post this season will be significant. Factor in that some form of self isolation is likely to still be in place, social distancing and potentially no gatherings permitted when we eventually kick off Season 20/21 then clearly, we as a business have to budget for the worst case scenario. Hopefully, that will all become a little bit clearer in the coming months ahead.
When we have some definitive news on the football front, we will advise you immediately. Hopefully one day not too far distant you will be able to make the journey down to the Phillips 66 Community Stadium to cheer on the team.
Our message to all Brakes fans and your loved ones is keep safe and adhere to the Government guidelines. By doing so you will save lives.
Jim Scott
Chairman
