Fixtures remain paused for Scarborough Athletic and Whitby Town
Scarborough Athletic and Whitby Town will continue to have their fixtures paused.
Last updated 4th Dec 2020
Scarborough Athletic and Whitby Town will continue to have their fixtures paused.
It follows a discussion between the Trident Leagues, which consist of Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Football Leagues.
The two Yorkshire Coast football teams are part of the Northern Premier league.
In a statement the Trident said:
"There were 224 Clubs voting across the 3 Leagues and of these 172 agreed with the proposition to continue the pause in fixtures, 51 disagreed and there was 1 abstention. Broken down by League, 57 Clubs in the Northern Premier League voted to agree with 4 disagreeing, 68 Clubs in the Southern League agreed with 14 disagreeing and in the Isthmian League it was much closer with 47 Clubs agreeing, 33 disagreeing and 1 abstention.
"The “Agree” vote was therefore 76% and it has been agreed that the three Leagues will not sanction fixtures at this time.
"It is intended that the situation is kept under review in line with Government review on the Tier allocations and restrictions. Accordingly, the next review is set for 16 December and then 30 December. It is the hope of all the Leagues that a date in January can be set for a return to fixtures with Clubs who wish being allowed to play before that date but this will not be until there is a change in the Tiers and/or some progress in the funding of the Clubs at this level.
"The Government has allocated £25m to Sport England to fund Steps 1 to 6 of the National Leagues System, of which £14m is set for Steps 3-6 but is heavily weighted in favour of loans, not grants. The FA is working tirelessly with DCMS and Sport England to have the funding presented as Grants. However, these negotiations take time, and it is not expected to have an answer or clarification of details of even the loans until mid-January.
"The deep concern of all involved in the NLS is that circumstances may mean that it is not possible to conclude the current format of competition in a manner in which promotion and relegation can be achieved throughout the whole pyramid with Step 2 being brought up to 48 Clubs and Step 4 brought up to 240 Clubs.
"If, therefore, no progress is made by the Government on the Tiers in either of the two December reviews, it is the intention of the Alliance Committee to circulate those concerned with a survey to gather the views of the Clubs as how best to finish the season. Options will include an alternative format competition and extending the season possibly into June 2021. However the implications of all such proposals will involve the cost of players contracts and the ability of some clubs to continue playing because of other issues of grounds and the need to prepare grass pitches for the following season.
"The Leagues are mindful of the needs of all Clubs and are striving to find a solution which is fair to all."
In response, Scarborough Athletic Chairman Trevor Bull, said:
"This is a statement that we have only just received. We will have a look at how it affects Scarborough Athletic and then go from there.
"Rest assured that we will make sure that our supporters are kept up to date with the situation."