Hartlepool United and National League clubs to receive £10m in funding over the next three months thanks to National Lottery Fund

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has announced that a partnership with the National Lottery will support all 67 clubs across the fifth and sixth tiers over the next three months.

The grant will not be funded by money allocated to the National Lottery Good Causes fund or by operators Camelot.

With National League matches forced to be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, the grant will provide clubs with some much-needed income over the coming months.

The money is expected to be allocated in a manner that will help subsidise clubs based on their lost gate revenue on a matchday and will be distributed via the Football Association.

Supporters across the country have been rallying around to be let back into stadia with the ‘Let Fans In’ campaign gaining significant momentum ahead of a planned Parliamentary debate on November 9.

The Culture Secretary said the return of fans is under constant review but will ultimately be dictated by the coronavirus infection rate falling.

He told Sky Sports News: “We keep the situation under constant review but not only that, we're continuing to work ahead investigating the use of new technology, working with the clubs who have done such a fantastic job up to now.

"If it is at all possible, of course I’d like [the return of fans] to happen but I think you will appreciate in this rapidly moving situation with the virus, we just need to exercise a little bit of caution.

On the new funding partnership, Dowden added: “I know from a brilliant club in my area that National League football clubs are the beating heart of their communities and too precious to lose.

"This £10m fund will provide a bridge to help clubs survive this immediate crisis whilst we work together on the safe return of fans.

"I'm very grateful to National Lottery players for getting help to these community clubs so quickly."

There has been no confirmation regarding funding beyond January but discussions are ongoing between the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the National League.

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