Hartlepool United release statement to clarify club's position amid calls to suspend the National League season

Hartlepool United have released a statement saying their primary concern is to complete the season but on the right terms.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

National League clubs have been presented with three options amid concerns the 2020-21 campaign could be stopped.

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.

Hartlepool United.Hartlepool United.
Hartlepool United.

Some clubs are in favour of suspending the season due to financial concerns caused by no fans being allowed to attend matches, while Pools, who are second in the table, have been quick to clarify their position amid the uncertainty.

A club statement read: “The club would like to make it clear that it is it’s preference and belief that funding should be made available as grants rather than loans, as discussed at the outset of the season. We have discussed the current position of funding now being made available as loans rather than grants with Mike Hill, MP for Hartlepool, who has agreed to continue to lobby the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to reconsider this option​.

“Given the three options outlined by the National League, we can confirm to fans that we have advised that in the absence of funding being made available as grants, we would be in support of option 2 – continuing the season under the operation of a National League loan distributed to clubs, but contingent on a number of details being confirmed and deemed satisfactory.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chairman Raj Singh commented ‘I thought it important to outline the club’s position to fans with regards to this important decision. Continuing the season is our primary concern, but it is important that it is also done so on the right terms. I would like to thank Mike Hill MP for his continued support on this matter.

I would also like to put on record again my thanks to our season ticket holders who have continued to support the club through this challenging time. We will be announcing a ‘thankyou’ package to season ticket holders early next week to cover the season to date so far – and once we know how the season will progress, then we will revisit this again at that point and hopefully be able to do more to show our continued thanks for their commitment.’​

Fixtures this weekend are set to go ahead as planned, with Pools set to travel to Weymouth, who sit 21st in the table.

Four North East National League North clubs have put their name to a statement calling for the 2020/21 season to be suspended immediately.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Hartlepool United coverage 365 days a year.

We’ve launched a new transfer window special offer for readers to get 20% off our subscription package.

Use the promo code TRANSFER20 to sign up here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor