How Hartlepool United's transfer business could be impacted with uncertainty over the National League season

Following a failure to secure a grant to support clubs for the remainder of the campaign while fans aren’t allowed into stadiums, the National League has held meetings with its member clubs this week to discuss how to move the season forward.

And with Pools sitting second in the National League table, more doubt and uncertainty over the campaign was the last thing Dave Challinor’s side needed.

The fact that it has come in the middle of a transfer window also risks putting clubs in a precarious position when it comes to conducting transfer business.

The risk of suspension to the season or lack of further funding will leave many clubs reluctant to do business until more clarity is provided.

And the fact that the Football League season will continue regardless also leaves National League sides vulnerable to having their players picked off while the campaign remains up in the air and the EFL transfer window open.

Some clubs haven’t been deterred by the uncertainty with Pools’ National League rivals Chesterfield and Barnet bolstering their squads with several signings this week.

As for Pools, they will adopt a ‘keep calm and carry on’ mentality as a club who are in favour of continuing the season as planned.

In terms of transfers, there is not a lot of wiggle room left in their budget as they look to tie down former Newcastle United defender Jamie Sterry for the rest of the season.

Challinor is hoping to bring in at least one more player this month after Tyler Magloire’s loan at Victoria Park expired.

Unless Hartlepool have their hand forced in some way, the club are likely to be patient regarding their transfer business with their main aim being to keep the squad they currently have.

It is likely that any further additions would come as a result of players leaving either permanently or on loan.

On Wednesday evening, the National League confirmed in a statement that clubs had been presented with three options regarding how to continue the season.

The Mail understands that option one would involve clubs applying for a two percent interest loan from the £11m government package which would include a two-year interest free period and a repayment schedule of 10 years with the possibility of an extension.

The second option would see the National League take on the loan themselves and provide grants directly to clubs.

The final option is to suspend the season indefinitely which would allow clubs to access the government’s furlough scheme to reduce losses.

The preferred choice for the majority of clubs at the moment is understood to be the second option, with the caveat of clubs receiving further assurances from the National League over the distribution of the grant, testing and the likely impact on future central payments.

Clubs have developed a growing mistrust of the National League over the last 12 months and some fear that it is merely ‘a loan in disguise’ and would therefore favour suspending the season until such assurances are made.

The League will hold another board meeting on Friday following the feedback received form its 66 member clubs before holding a Zoom call with the DCMS on January 25.

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