Several Northern Premier League clubs have openly criticised the league’s shock decision to restart the season.
On Monday the NPL and the two other Step 3 and 4 leagues issued a joint statement insisting they would not restart the campaign whilst Tier 3 restrictions affected its member clubs.
However, 24 hours later the NPL incredibly broke away from its pact with the Southern League and the Isthmian League, who have since said they won’t restart until January 9th at the earliest, by announcing that there was to be a mandatory restart on Boxing Day. Clubs could also arrange fixtures for this Saturday.
The decision has been met with severe anger by a number of clubs who believe playing under Tier 3 restrictions could place them in severe jeopardy and insist it is not safe currently for all concerned because of the danger of the spread of Covid-19.
Mossley were the first to issue a strongly worded statement and they have been followed by Stalybridge Celtic, Glossop North End and Ossett United. Stocksbridge Park Steels have outlined their reservations too.
A statement from the Ossett United board of directors said:
“Earlier this week the Northern Premier League made a statement regarding the re-commencement of football. Regrettably, member clubs were not consulted prior to this statement being issued.
“We are aware that a number of clubs have issued their own statements in response to the position adopted by the Northern Premier League.
“We have received questions from our own fan base about our own views on re-commencing football but chose to await today’s government announcement on the Covid Tier arrangements before finalising our own views on these matters.
“As fans will now know, there are no changes to the Tier arrangements for the overwhelming majority of clubs in the Northern Premier League. Indeed, whilst we have not considered the full detail, we assume that with the addition of a number of areas moving into Tier 3, across the Trident Leagues (Northern Premier League, Southern Premier League and Isthmian League) there are likely to now be more clubs in Tier 3 than there were when a democratic vote was taken to pause the current season.
“Whilst the Government and the FA have revised their guidance for the attendance of fans for clubs in Tier 3, the limit is 200 with significant limitations on food and drink sales.
“For many clubs, including our own, these limits cause significant concern in regard to the financial viability of club’s being able to successfully operate, stay viable and importantly stay in existence.
“As things stand, the Northern Premier League are looking to re-introduce fixtures from this Saturday, which we have declined to do so, as well as impose a mandatory restart of the league from the 26th December, just nine days from now.
“At the present time, we do not support the planned restart on the basis proposed. We think it is important that all Member clubs be afforded the opportunity to debate these matters and come to a collective democratic view on the best way forward, which recognises the financial viability of the clubs affected as well as the health and well being of players, fans, volunteers and club staff.
“Everyone at Ossett United wants football to return as soon as possible, however this has to be done in a way which protects both our own club and all others operating at our level.”