Coronavirus

[rudebwoyben]

But by that time all our players will have been out of contact and may have left, so we will have no one to pay.

Leave where? Every club is going to be in the same situation. The FA and Leagues could extend the closure of the transfer window to whenever the season finally ends.

 

[jacobncfc]

I don't understand, who on earth is going to think to themselves "well the season's been declared void so I've spent hundreds of pounds over 8 months attending friendlies, better spend £200 more on attending future matches that may or may not happen at some unspecified point in the future"

Clubs need to understand that although the desire for certainty is an instinctual part of running a business, there is no decision they can make that will make this virus go away.

There is zero chance of me committing to a new season ticket if this season is declared void because I don't know when matches will start and I can't trust them not to do the same again if another wave of this virus hits again next year.

The last bit is an important point - it seems relatively likely that a second wave of the virus will hit in autumn/winter this year. Which would be a huge problem if we’ve started a new season.

 

[#Beebot]

But by that time all our players will have been out of contact and may have left, so we will have no one to pay.

As do most non-league clubs in June. That's what the transfer market is for.

 

[Fyldefan]

The last bit is an important point - it seems relatively likely that a second wave of the virus will hit in autumn/winter this year. Which would be a huge problem if we’ve started a new season.

Why is another wave in winter time likely?

 

[Super_horns]

Why is another wave in winter time likely?

I don't think its going to be gone but hopefully they will have a vaccine ready or the situation won't be as serious.

I mean we cannot all isolate or be on lockdown for ever...

 

[MrGloverLover]

I don't think its going to be gone but hopefully they will have a vaccine ready or the situation won't be as serious.

I mean we cannot all isolate or be on lockdown for ever...

I hear the Vic might be used to help out the NHS. Makes sense being next door to the hospital.

 

[jacobncfc]

Why is another wave in winter time likely?

It depends whether there’s a seasonal element to the virus, but they seem to think that’s more likely than not.

 

[Fyldefan]

It depends whether there’s a seasonal element to the virus, but they seem to think that’s more likely than not.

Ok mate fair enough. Didn't know that

 

[slaphead]

As do most non-league clubs in June. That's what the transfer market is for.

Which hat are you debating with, the Barnet one or Maidenhead? Either way wouldn’t it be better just to end the season now from a self interest point of view. I get the fact we could sign players past May, but I suspect we have a fair few we want shot of at the end of the season and they may want a longer contract than we are prepared to offer. We also have a few loans who are all out of contract in June at their parent club and may wish to try to look for clubs in the EFL. We also have a couple of players who have EFL clubs sniffing around so would they wish to stay? It’s a mess, just void the season now.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

Which hat are you debating with, the Barnet one or Maidenhead? Either way wouldn’t it be better just to end the season now from a self interest point of view. I get the fact we could sign players past May, but I suspect we have a fair few we want shot of at the end of the season and they may want a longer contract than we are prepared to offer. We also have a few loans who are all out of contract in June at their parent club and may wish to try to look for clubs in the EFL. We also have a couple of players who have EFL clubs sniffing around so would they wish to stay? It’s a mess, just void the season now.

Players wouldn't be able to move clubs until the registration window opens - so their choice would be to stay at the club they are registered to, or remain unattached until the next season starts.

 

[slaphead]

Players wouldn't be able to move clubs until the registration window opens - so their choice would be to stay at the club they are registered to, or remain unattached until the next season starts.

As I understand it, and I’ve been told this by numerous players, we cease to hold their registration as soon as they are out of contract, freeing them up to sign pre-contracts etc elsewhere. It’s not just as simple as saying to players stay with us for god knows how long, and wait for god knows what, when they could move to another club who will give them certainty of income.

 

[Monkey Tennis]

As I understand it, and I’ve been told this by numerous players, we cease to hold their registration as soon as they are out of contract, freeing them up to sign pre-contracts etc elsewhere. It’s not just as simple as saying to players stay with us for god knows how long, and wait for god knows what, when they could move to another club who will give them certainty of income.

Well yeah, but they would have to wait for that season to start to play for a new club. They'd still be registered to play for Aldershot until this season concludes.

(Obviously under the assumption the league still intends to play to a conclusion)

 

[slaphead]

I get what you’re saying, and if I was in your position I’d be saying the same. But, given the ‘experts’ don’t expect this thing to peak until June/July, teams will then need another preseason to get players fit again even if you play 3 games a week it won’t get done until September at the earliest. The knock on that has on next season will massive given by most normal seasons by the end of Sept we are 10-12 games in. Anyway, nothing can be decided until the PL and EFL make their minds up because of the Bury situation. My preference would be void the season, promote Barrow and run the NL one short and catch up the next season.

 

[Super_horns]

I hear the Vic might be used to help out the NHS. Makes sense being next door to the hospital.

Sounds like - yes good idea.

Been helping with collections and stuff too.

Someone might get Troy Deeney at their door - well that will scare anyone into isolation!

 

[doveranddover]

Fylde asking staff to take 50% pay cut
https://www.afcfylde.co.uk/open-letter-to-supporters/

 

[shoddycollins]

Because it’s at least fair for everyone. You can’t just give people titles/promotions etc before they’ve won them.

I would finish the season basically no matter what, but giving out promotion or relegation without all of the games being played would be the worst of the possible outcomes.

The problem is, below step 3 where they have announced the season will be cancelled, there are teams who have already mathematically secured promotion and who will now have that rubbed out.

 

[#Beebot]

Fylde asking staff to take 50% pay cut
https://www.afcfylde.co.uk/open-letter-to-supporters/

Why wouldn't they just ask for 20% and furlough them? That's what Maidenhead have done, put the whole club into hibernation.

 

[LongEatonPie]

Well it's all kicked off at Step 5 and 6 Midland Football League. Already talk of suing the league for deciding too soon and also not even consulting members.
2 teams in MFL Prem and the leader in MFL 1 have all had their best ever season and were in great posiitons to obtain their highest league ever. One team gained a pretty sizable sponsor who pulled their investment as soon as they heard meaning many players already wanting a move.

There has also been a very vocal few demanding compensation from the league for their season tickets.

What a bloody mess this season is. I have honestly now switched to I'd rather see more people live, the NHS and front line services get massive payouts than worry about Notts getting a playoff spot this season. I can see 500+ dying a day by next weekend in the UK.
Not bothered about football at all lately.

 

[chipmunx]

Well it's all kicked off at Step 5 and 6 Midland Football League. Already talk of suing the league for deciding too soon and also not even consulting members.
2 teams in MFL Prem and the leader in MFL 1 have all had their best ever season and were in great posiitons to obtain their highest league ever. One team gained a pretty sizable sponsor who pulled their investment as soon as they heard meaning many players already wanting a move.

There has also been a very vocal few demanding compensation from the league for their season tickets.

What a bloody mess this season is. I have honestly now switched to I'd rather see more people live, the NHS and front line services get massive payouts than worry about Notts getting a playoff spot this season. I can see 500+ dying a day by next weekend in the UK.
Not bothered about football at all lately.

whilst i understand everything that you say football is one of the few things that can take guys minds off this - even for just a few minutes... the other options have already gone - going out and getting pissed and getting laid... (the mrs doesn't count - and as i'm not married I can get away with saying that on behalf of the rest of you...).
Seriously though - we've probably got 4-6 months of this still to go through;- maybe more - we have already had 10 reported deaths at the Barrow hospital and it will only get worse here and throughout the country.

 

[John Still]

Fylde asking staff to take 50% pay cut
https://www.afcfylde.co.uk/open-letter-to-supporters/

His pockets can’t be that deep then, I’m sure if they were near the top he wouldn’t be doing this and would want to keep his players happy.

 

[Fyldefan]

His pockets can’t be that deep then, I’m sure if they were near the top he wouldn’t be doing this and would want to keep his players happy.

Tbf john surely most non league clubs are in the same boat are they not? There is no income. The sports complex on which the ground sits and he owns are shut. People need to get over this myth of us being some unlimited funded club. We are not and never have been.

 

[shoddycollins]

I agree with chipmunx. What is happening at the moment is totally without precedent, even comparisons to the world wars aren't quite accurate as even in those situations ordinary life didn't have to be put on hold. The football league was halted not because it was dangerous to go outside, but because most of the players had signed up to the military, and scaled back wartime leagues and women's football remained popular.

We don't know when normality will return but we need something to look forward to when it does, and fans of several clubs have just had that totally soured. Take Jersey Bulls, who won 27 games in a row and became the first club to be promoted in England. Given that they have to fly to away games, that's a lot of money invested in a record breaking season, all now down the pan. The FA has imposed this on the leagues at that level, who have protested.

Given the situation we find ourselves in, I see no reason why starting next season should be prioritised over finishing this one.

 

[AdamStag]

I agree with chipmunx. What is happening at the moment is totally without precedent, even comparisons to the world wars aren't quite accurate as even in those situations ordinary life didn't have to be put on hold. The football league was halted not because it was dangerous to go outside, but because most of the players had signed up to the military, and scaled back wartime leagues and women's football remained popular.

We don't know when normality will return but we need something to look forward to when it does, and fans of several clubs have just had that totally soured. Take Jersey Bulls, who won 27 games in a row and became the first club to be promoted in England. Given that they have to fly to away games, that's a lot of money invested in a record breaking season, all now down the pan. The FA has imposed this on the leagues at that level, who have protested.

Given the situation we find ourselves in, I see no reason why starting next season should be prioritised over finishing this one.

Even then in relation to the war it was stopped in September - if this happened in September also no-one would care as the season was in its infancy. Given the season was 3/4s through obviously it has to continue. Get this done first and worry about next season when we’re back to normal.

 

[Master D]

Fylde asking staff to take 50% pay cut
https://www.afcfylde.co.uk/open-letter-to-supporters/

Knows they are going down so no point chucking any more money at the dream. Back to the village leagues now probably.

 

[doveranddover]

our chairman has made a statement
he's 1 of the conference bigwigs so probably worth linking to

http://www.doverathletic.com/news/chairmans-update-on-club-situation/

 

[Monkey Tennis]

our chairman has made a statement
he's 1 of the conference bigwigs so probably worth linking to

http://www.doverathletic.com/news/chairmans-update-on-club-situation/

"All I can say is that I find the staggering self interest being displayed by those who can afford to continue to pursue gain from the season by threatening legal action if they don’t get their own way against good people trying to do their best in unprecedented circumstances disgusting beyond further words."

Easy to say when Dover aren't getting promoted anyway. Some clubs' survival could depend on promotion.

As he says, the furlough scheme seems applicable to Dover, so it should be for all clubs - then what was the need to scrap all the lower leagues?

 

[John Still]

Tbf john surely most non league clubs are in the same boat are they not? There is no income. The sports complex on which the ground sits and he owns are shut. People need to get over this myth of us being some unlimited funded club. We are not and never have been.

Yeah of course, balance sheet says otherwise.

https://companycheck.co.uk/company/05916248/A-F-C-FYLDE-LIMITED/companies-house-data

 

[chipmunx]

"All I can say is that I find the staggering self interest being displayed by those who can afford to continue to pursue gain from the season by threatening legal action if they don’t get their own way against good people trying to do their best in unprecedented circumstances disgusting beyond further words."

Easy to say when Dover aren't getting promoted anyway. Some clubs' survival could depend on promotion.

As he says, the furlough scheme seems applicable to Dover, so it should be for all clubs - then what was the need to scrap all the lower leagues?

the furlough scheme might apply - but does it apply to someone who has a contract that runs out at the end of April say.. - I can't see many players below NLN or NLS level having contracts past then. Would the furlough only apply until then? and would the furlough only apply if the club retained them - ie gave them a new contract... I think that's why the lower leagues were scrapped;- most players at lower levels wouldn't qualify...

 

[AdamStag]

our chairman has made a statement
he's 1 of the conference bigwigs so probably worth linking to

http://www.doverathletic.com/news/chairmans-update-on-club-situation/

Tbh the part about staggering self interest is a load of bullshit and he makes himself look a complete and utter tit.

All those with “staggering self interest” are asking is that for once the conference/fa or whoever show some common sense for once and don’t come to the ridiculously rash conclusion they’ve come to. Why cancel this season to prioritise the start of another season which hasn’t yet started! Where’s the common sense in that?

Of course any club towards the top - or having won it like jersey and Vauxhall motors - whether it be in the conference north, the sunday side or a league side would be wanting answers if a season where blood, sweat effort from all have been spent for nothing!

My side - mansfield - are 21st in our league - we can’t get into the playoffs obviously and Stevenage are so far behind us the odds of us going down are vanishingly small - but I 100% want the season to be completed even if we’ve sod all to play for. It’s because it’s the right thing to do and the common sense thing to do!

Comes across as quite patronising in fairness. What a ridiculous statement. If he’s one of those that is a “conference bigwig” then god help you all.

 

[B2TF]

Knows they are going down so no point chucking any more money at the dream. Back to the village leagues now probably.

When we first came across them in 2009/10, even their original ground was still a turnip patch on Google Earth. The reality, when we got there, wasn't much better.