Property developers and the death of non league football clubs

Oakland2002 · Grand Slam Champion

Property developers and the death of non league football clubs

Ace Ventura · All-time great

Speaking of Harrogate, are you following the NL run in Jon? Despite both dropping points this weekend, it still looks like it'll be either Barrow or Harrogate going up automatically, and that's fine with me as one is in the next county to me (Barrow), and the other is featured on our BBC Look North news, so a local(ish) northern club either way.

Think I'd just about prefer Barrow, because Carlisle vs Barrow back again as a league fixture (before my time) would be pretty cool, and they do get decent crowds there, but certainly wouldn't begrudge Harrogate.

indiana · Tennis legend

Oh, I suspect that Jon just might be following events in the National League

Been getting closer. Indeed would have been down to 2 points between Barrow and Harrogate if Harrogate hadn't conceded a late own goal equaliser yesterday. As it is, the gap is 4 points with each having 9 games left.

paulisi · Tennis legend

I can see both teams dropping points and Notre County closing in, but I think they will run out off games to catch the top two.

Ace Ventura · All-time great

I'd agree with that Paul. A few extra matches to play and I wouldn't be as confident, but Barrow are at least 4 games ahead of everyone (bar Harrogate, and Halifax I suppose, but the 27 GD swing effectively adds an extra point to make it 4 games), so they could lose 3 of their final 9 matches and still have it in their hands over everyone (bar Harrogate). Notts or someone else like Yeovil could quite feasibly finish above Harrogate, as Harrogate would only need to lose 2 matches, but it would take a momumental mess up from Barrow not to finish at least 2nd now.

Barrow are generally 2/7
Harrogate 10/3
Yeovil 22/1
Boreham Wood 33/1
Notts 60/1

www.oddschecker.com/football/english/non-league/national-league/winner

JonH comes home · Challenger level

I have been following ! I went to match yesterday, against Bromley and it really should have been a win, sadly Bradley came on late in 2nd half and an own goal followed.

Town are really solid and have had a great run since xmas period overall. 4 points over 9 games isn't too bad and weve pulled it slowly back since it was 7 points and a game in hand to barrow.

I think Barrow are still favourites, my son and I are hoping we can make the play off final at wembley. Sadly his graduation ceremony from oxford is the same weekend and we cant get to Wembley, as family will all be in oxford. An fa trophy final 2 weeks later would be great instead if we can see off County in the semis.

paulisi · Tennis legend

If you look at the bottom, you will see that having big money doesn't guarantee success. Moneybags AFC Fylde will get relegated.

JonH comes home · Challenger level

Town of course have at least 2 additional matches to Barrow to play, which may or may not be a good thing. Better playing I feel. Big is on 1st April, evening match, when barrow visit harrogate. That'll be key.

Ace Ventura · All-time great

Barrow do actually have some really tough remaining fixtures:

Wrexham - H - you'd usually think this would be tough, but Wrexham are struggling, but they are in a relegation battle, so plenty to play for
Barnet - A - 4 points off the playoffs, but 4 games in hand
Stockport - H - outside the PO's on goal difference
Harrogate - A - a huge match
Eastleigh - A - possibly one of very few teams with nothing to play for
Halifax - A - 5th but might have a sniff depending on how Barrow do in the previous 5 matches
Chesterfield - H - seem to be improving, but still in a relegation battle
Yeovil - A - similar to Halifax, but on the other hand, they may rest players if it's pretty much playoffs confirmed by then
Woking - H - see Stockport

So there are definitely games there where you could see them slipping up, and the match with Harrogate on April 1st could be absolutely pivotal.

Oakland2002 · Grand Slam Champion

Hamlets planning application is out for comment after amendments, no ground and I think we will be playing step 5 football at best. Undoubtedly the club would survive in some shape or form, we have learnt that ground sharing unless you take your bar money is not an option for a viable NL South side. This is it, comments in by March 12th.

Oakland2002 · Grand Slam Champion

A second thought is there is a strong possibility that promotion and relegation will be settled by league position this year. Corona virus will mean restriction of the size of events with play off finals carrying a significant risk of cross infection. Generally non league football is pretty safe big big distances between people at CVPM!

paulisi · Tennis legend

A lot of clubs may go to the wall.
Nantwich have made all their players and staff redundant

Southport are getting cash flow issues as their event venue has had to close.

There are probably many more clubs in worse positions.

paulisi · Tennis legend

Anything below Conf N & S has been voided with no promotion and relegation.
I feel sorry for some clubs like Jersey and Lower Breck who were virtually promoted.

Oakland2002 · Grand Slam Champion

Really worried about Worcester City getting going again next season, things looked like they were just turning the corner and now wallop, the footie side was done & dusted out of contention for good or bad, financially things must be desperate.

Less worried more gutted for CVPM who in their first season in step 4 were well and truely entrenched in a play off position but it is what it is and too be honest even I will admit there are much more important things than non-league football going on.

paulisi · Tennis legend

I suspect lots of clubs will go under or switch to amateur status.
Those with players on longer contracts are going to suffer more.

Southport have been asking for donations from supporters. They have a high wage bill which will drop dramatically from August when the expensive contracts run out.