Hartlepool United and their National League rivals presented three options by league bosses amid funding concerns

National League clubs have been presented with three options amid concerns the 2020-21 campaign could be suspended.
Pools boss Dave Challinor.Pools boss Dave Challinor.
Pools boss Dave Challinor.

On Tuesday, it emerged future Government funding to help clubs through the Covid-19 pandemic would come in the form of loans rather than grants which led to concern among a number of clubs.

National League chiefs held talks with clubs on Wednesday and three options were presented; 1) clubs take out a low interest, long repayment loan from the DCMS funding package, 2) the National League takes out the loan and then redistributes to clubs as a grant (with future League central payments to clubs then reduced) or 3) the season is suspended.

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It is understood clubs have been told to email their views in over the next 24-hours with the National League board set to meet on Friday.

Fixtures this weekend are set to go ahead as planned, with Pools second in the table.

The three National League divisions started their campaigns in October after securing a £10m grant from the Government for the first three months of the season.

However it then emerged the next £11m pot of money - part of the government's £300m rescue package for sport – is available to clubs to claim as loans over the next three months.

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In response, Hartlepool United Supporters’ Trust (HUST) wrote to town MP Mike Hill to lobby Government.

On Tuesday morning, HUST tweeted: “After reading worrying government plans last night to provide loans rather than grants to National League clubs, we contacted @MikeHillMP as encouraged by the NL itself.

“He's promised to lobby on our behalf, along with other NE MPs. We'll give an update when we hear more. #united

“Got to say thanks to Mike, who is also a Trust member, for getting back to us straight away late last night."

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Pools boss Dave Challinor hopes to be able to complete the season.

“We’re not in a bad place and January is a quiet month for us to be fair but February through May are really hectic months for everybody as it stands,” he said.

"You just hope we get the opportunity to carry on because the rumours that circulate, there are more calls for football to stop and if that’s the case, there’ll be concerns on how to finish the league.”

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