Reports: National League clubs to be asked whether to end the 2020-21 season after failure to secure DCMS funding grants – Hartlepool United, Notts County and Solihull Moors in favour of playing on

National League clubs could be asked to vote on whether to end the 2020-21 season.
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The DCMS has allocated £11m to the National League to be distributed to clubs as loans rather than grants but this option has been shunned by the vast majority of the league’s 66 member clubs.

With no grant funding in place, the National League North and South has been suspended for two weeks while National League fixtures continue as normal for the time being.

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National League North and South clubs have reportedly been told to prepare to resume their season on Saturday, February 6 despite no funding being in place.

The National League season is under threat. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)The National League season is under threat. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
The National League season is under threat. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

But according to BBC Sport, the National League are due to speak with clubs this week to discuss a vote that would see an end to the current campaign.

The majority of clubs in the fifth tier, including Hartlepool United, Notts County, Solihull Moors and Sutton United are in favour of the season continuing as normal providing appropriate support is put in place.

Meanwhile, the DCMS have announced that non-league clubs below the National League in steps three to six will have £10m made available in the form of grants. National League clubs can apply for grants if their imminent future is at risk and they can demonstrate loans are unaffordable.

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Despite growing pressure from clubs and local politicians, the Government have shown no indication of changing its stance regarding National League funding.

Should this remain the case, many clubs in the National League North and South would vote to void the season and the future of the National League campaign would be in a precarious state.

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