Update on Commencement of 2020/21 Season

24 September 2020

Following a meeting of its Board of Directors this afternoon, the following update is issued on behalf of The National League:

In recognition of the financial uncertainty facing its member clubs, The National League is actively engaged with Government, with the assistance of The Football Association, to secure a critical financial support package, and it is hoped this can be announced very soon.

It is imperative the revenue shortfall caused by the pause to the safe return of spectators is responsibly addressed so each club can operate sustainably over the course of the forthcoming season.

Notes:

The National League has currently set the start date of the 2020/21 season as 3 October, which is when Vanarama National League clubs are due to play their first league match and Vanarama National League North and Vanarama National League South clubs are involved in the Second Qualifying of The FA Cup.

The National League is the FA affiliated governing body for football clubs who play in the fifth and sixth tiers of the English league pyramid system. It comprises 67 professional and semi-professional football clubs organised into 3 divisions: the Vanarama National League, Vanarama National League North and Vanarama National League South.