National League clubs could vote on ending season if funding is not provided - reports

Clubs have been informed by the government that funding to compensate for fans not being allowed in stadiums will come in the form of loans and not grants.

This has come as a surprise to clubs as funding for the first three months of the season came as a grant.

According to the BBC, an ‘overwhelming majority’ of the 66 clubs in the National League, National League North and National League South, will not accept loans.

If this is the case, it is difficult to see how the season could continue.

“Long-term, low interest loans will be made available to clubs in the National League steps one and two, while grant support will also be considered on a case-by-case basis if their imminent future is at risk,” the BBC reports.

National League clubs have been given three options for how to proceed. The first is for clubs to take out an individual loan from Sport England. The second is for the National League to take out a loan and pass to each club as a grant, however this would mean clubs would receive less funding from the National League throughout the rest of the year. The final option is to suspend the season until a later date.

Chesterfield have said that their preferred option is to take a loan from Sport England.

Further developments are expected later this week.