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A mixture of patchwork local restrictions and lack of a uniform approach to dealing with COVID-19 threatens the future of non-league clubs this season, as additional measures brought in to quell the pandemic in different regions are leaving an uneven playing field. 

Chester FC have written to the National League to ask for clarification on how the financial support package announced yesterday was determined, following a deal between the league and the National Lottery to provide emergency funding to clubs.

The new phoenix club, Bury AFC, set up following the expulsion of Bury Football Club back in August 2019, will start their life as a member of the North West Counties League Division One North on Saturday 3rd October with a game against Steeton at their new home sharing with Radcliffe FC. Richard Irving spoke to Phil Young, chair of the supporters’ trust at the community owned club, about the challenges that the club has faced since its set-up in March of this year.

The sports minister today confirmed that the Government will intervene to help non-league clubs survive the COVID-19 crisis – but he expects the Premier League to bail out the EFL.

Without paying spectators attending games, a significant number of non-league football clubs in the men’s game will cease to exist. The demise of teams in non-league will have a negative knock-on effect not only on players and club staff, but on fans’ health and well being, women’s and junior football in the local area, and the local economy. The FSA’s head of national game, Andy Walsh, explores further…

Supporter-owned Merthyr Town have become the latest non-league club to take the difficult decision to ‘suspend’ their activity for the coming season.

Pressure is building on the Government to update their guidance currently prohibiting the return of fans to non-league football despite other areas of the economy opening up.

Non-league side Droylsden have pulled out of the Northern Premier League saying the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has left them “no alternative”.

Earlier this month, Lewes FC reached the incredible milestone of 10 years’ in community-ownership. To mark the occasion, SD Europe spoke to the football club’s Chair Stuart Fuller and the FSA’s community-owned clubs network manager Richard Irving to dig deeper into this remarkable achievement – an interview reproduced with the permission of SD Europe below…

The oldest senior football ground in London has been the spiritual home of Clapton supporters for more than 130 years, but for the first time in their history those supporters now own the ground. 

Non-league clubs will be buoyed by the findings of a survey which indicates more than three quarters of regular matchgoers intend on returning to the game straight away if it is able to kick-off this autumn, but there is still work to do ensuring fans feel safe within stadiums.

Over the next three weeks, one of the highlights of the non-league season will be taking place as the National League play-offs are contested. Richard Irving, the FSA’s community-owned clubs network manager, explains how some fan owned clubs are right in the mix…

The National League’s live streaming package for the playoffs in the National League North and South has been launched. 

The FSA have partnered with the Non-League Paper to gather the views of thousands of football fans across the country on how they believe football can safely return from its COVID-19 suspension with spectators in the stands. 

FC United of Manchester have become the latest club to show what can be done during the COVID-19 pandemic, in partnership with the North Manchester Business Network and the City Council. 

Just under £10m worth of grants have been made available by the football authorities to help small non-league and community clubs get their pitches ready for football’s return.

Barrow AFC supporters have provided vital funds for the Cumbrian club, raising more than £65,000 six weeks ahead of their May deadline.

Following the meeting of the National Game Network which took place in London on 7th March, the minutes from the discussion are available to download now. 

It’s not unusual for clubs to groundshare at non-league level. While each set of circumstances is unique, it is always distressing when a club is torn away from its local community and left with no option to play away from their traditional home. 

A ground-breaking survey of non-league clubs carried out by the FSA and disability campaign group Level Playing Field has shown disability access is improving, but there is still some way to go.