GET YOUR THINKING CAPS ON!

A COHORT of National League clubs have formed a working group and are set to propose Non-League’s top two tiers introduce a salary cap from next season.

- Matt Badcock

Representatives at AFC Fylde, Boreham Wood, Chesterfield, Dagenham & Redbridge, Ebbsfleet United, Sutton United and National League South club Maidstone United have been drawing up ideas that would see Non-League football to follow in the footsteps of rugby.

The plan would be for Step 1 clubs to adhere to a limit of £750,000, while those in the North and South couldn’t spend more than £450-£500,000. The cap would include all player wages, agent fees, signing on fees, and National Insurance.

It’s been reported that the EFL are suggesting a salary cap of their own for clubs in League One of £2.5m and League Two of £1.25m.

Fylde chairman David Haythornthwaite initially made contact with clubs across the National League – a process that hasn’t been straightforward with many staff furloughed – and a group was formed in the hope of bringing in some changes – the main one being an enforceable salary cap.

Haythornthwaite says Covid-19 has helped clubs open up on the difficulties the game faces and believes a new ruling makes even more sense if the EFL pass through their proposals.