Teams had their fixtures suspended in March and subsequently received no gate receipts for months of lockdown.
For a number of clubs at various levels of the Pyramid, the loss of clubhouse activity has been even more significant. Not just bar revenue but also the vital income that would normally have been generated from hiring out facilities for functions such as birthday parties and wedding receptions.
These are really tough times and I am truly amazed that hundreds of clubs haven’t gone bust.
So where do we go from here? Rather than looking back in anger, I believe we have to develop a strong contingency plan to promote a healthy future for our NonLeague game.
In effect, this must start straight away. Spectators are now gradually being allowed back into Non-League grounds, albeit in limited numbers at some levels of the Pyramid.
Whilst the Premier League and Football League continue to have their matches behind closed doors, we can attract new supporters to our Non-League fixtures going forward with a view to the long-term.
This story is from the September 13, 2020 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 13, 2020 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DOWSE FANS THE FLAMES
BOSS HAS HIS FIRE BACK
GAFFER DUTTON SALUTES YOUNG GUNS
SALISBURY may be kings of the late goal, but when Tony Lee put AFC Totton 1-0 up in the 78th-minute of the playoff final even manager Brian Dutton had his doubts.
THE BREAK IS OVER AS BRAKES GO BACK UP...
PAUL Holleran says Leamington are relishing another crack at National League football after enjoying a “gap year” at Step 3.
THAT ONE WAS JUST FOR YOU, CHIEF
PROUD Enfield Town boss Gavin Macpherson believes their promotion to National League South is a fitting tribute to ‘pioneer’ Dave Bryant.
BROMLEY BOYS ARE IN THE BIG TIME
HOW ABOUT these Bromley boys? The club immortalised in a much-loved book-turned film have been promoted to the EFL for the first time in their 132-year history.
'APPRENTICE' WOODMAN GETS REWARD FOR LOYALTY
ANDY WOODMAN has had history on his mind.
MY LADS ARE JUST 'EXTRA' SPECIAL!
WATCH OUT National League big boys, the Pub Team from Essex is back!
SPIREITES IN TUNE WITH DRUM-MOND
KANE DRUMMOND says he has been offered a “life-changing opportunity” after landing a dream move into the Football League with Chesterfield.
OLD PALS GIVE JOHN A ROOST
NEW Buxton manager John McGrath is calling on friends in high places as the ambitious Bucks gear up for a first-ever season of fulltime football.
AT LAST, OUR CUP HEROES HAVE EARNED THEIR SPURS
“THE BEST moment ever – better than playing Tottenham”.