Allsop doubts September start and backs local leagues of ten idea

Nostell Miners Welfare chairman Kevin Allsop has poured cold water on the idea of a September re-start for Non League Football and has backed calls for reduced league numbers.

The FA have told the Step 5 and 6 leagues that they hope for Non League Football to be given the green-light to resume in September. That is one of their four scenarios in their forward planning.

Mr Allsop is very sceptical about the September plan and he believes multiple localised leagues containing ten clubs each in the short-term is a more realistic proposal.

“There is a lot of stuff that has to come together before we can even think about kicking a ball,” Mr Allsop told Non League Yorkshire.

“I think there is no chance of a September start. October is the earliest, November is more realistic. But I can see us getting to Christmas without a ball being kicked.

“Until there is a vaccine or some form of medication, we’re going to be looking over our shoulders for a second wave.

“A September start would be fantastic, but I can’t see it. If we do start in September, I wouldn’t expect it to be a long season.

“I think one of the best suggested ideas is splitting the leagues so there is less travelling. That has some merit in it. People wouldn’t be having to travel long distances, that’s the first thing.

“Secondly, you’ll be coming into contact with fewer people. That is a better idea than going for the full 42 league game programme. 

“Playing in a group of ten with your local clubs has merit. As Nostell, we’d play clubs like Worsbrough and Glasshoughton and that isolates potential issues and contains the potential spread.

“We don’t want to be travelling to places like Skegness which is miles away because we also have to be mindful that we have to protect the bigger picture.

“The reality of grassroots football, whether it is step 6 or step 1, planning to start on September 1st is so far off the page, it is untrue.”

Mr Allsop’s argument of why he believes September is doubtful in his mind is centred around those classed as vulnerable by the Government.

The shielding advice finishes on August 1st, but Mr Allsop does not expect those currently housebound to come out of isolation ‘ready for action’. 

He believes people will be reluctant to attend and and volunteer at matches which will affect the ability for some clubs to host matches.

“I’ve spoken to other chairman and other people involved in football and we’re all expressing some significant concerns,” he said.

“I think players coming to games already changed is a must and obviously there is issues around the bars and capacity for games.

“But the problem the vast majority of clubs have, including ourselves, is that lower down the levels you go, the percentage numbers of volunteers of a elderly nature increases 

“The argument starts and finishes there for me.

“Ultimately clubs at our level and a little higher have volunteers who are in the vulnerable bracket so how are we going to function on match-days without a big fraction of the volunteer support we need?

“Take us as a club, with the exception of four or five of us, it rules everybody out.

“I’ve spoken to chairmen at other clubs and they are echoing similar thoughts. One of the biggest issues is not the playing side, it is how are we going to manage a match-day with restrictions in place before we even kick a ball?

“Shielding ends on August 1 so anyone classed as vulnerable would probably have to isolate themselves in the ground, that’s if they are even prepared to come to the ground.

“People won’t want to put themselves or their families at risk.

“There are tons of issues and it might sound ridiculous, but use the toilets as an example. We don’t get big crowds so we might be lucky to average 80 to 100 spectators over the course of the season.

“Let’s say we have the bar open. How are you going to organise the toilets situation when everyone wants to go for a p**s at half-time?

“I think there are some basic significant aspects surrounding the game that need tackling before those at the coalface, the managers, the coaches, the players, can genuinely start thinking about kicking a ball in anger.

“Don’t get me wrong, sport has a role to play in the recovery from a social point as a bit of a focus and something to look forward to. 

“But the bigger picture is that people are still dying from Covid-19. Pubs are open, that’s fantastic for some, but would you go near a pub at the moment?”

Clubs, including Nostell, are busy recruiting players and training to be prepared for a potential September start.

The financial side of it has changed for many clubs and Nostell have gone down a different route to previous campaigns by opting to go with youth under new manager Ian Walker.

But Mr Allsop has kept his ear to the ground and is shocked at some of the wages players are either being offered or requesting.

“With the exception of the odd club who I would go on record and say idiotic in terms of what they are reportedly offering players, the players need to take a rain-check on things,” he said.

“There is no money in the game. There are clubs who are going to be lucky to start again, let alone bow to demands from players of £30, £40, £150s, or more.

“I couldn’t believe one of the figures I heard one player was offered. It is bonkers. It is not sustainable, especially when we don’t know how games will be played, whether the bars will open, how many will be allowed in to watch.

“If the EFL has got clubs potentially getting wound-up or put into receivership because of lack of revenues then what chance has Step 1 to 6 clubs got?”

With Walker taking the helm in the dugout, Nostell will field a team mostly made up of his successful under 21s side, mixed in with experienced bodies such as Adam Hayton and goalkeeper Lee Kelsey.

Mr Allsop, who as chairman has done a wonderful job to steer the club in a upward trajectory off-the-field since 2016, is excited about the club’s future and anticipates other clubs will follow their model.

“I put myself forward to be a member of the NCEL board two seasons ago to support a development league,” he said. 

“Why? Because there is a void between first team and the likes of the West Yorkshire League for players who are 21/22.

“Ian’s appointment is not just about the money. Yes, it is partly to do with that as there will be constraints on expenses for players.

“But we have had a strong and successful group at under 21s which had been together for two seasons and we didn’t want them going off elsewhere to develop their football.

“We wanted them to be part of the future at Nostell. Our aim is to be the fittest team in the NCEL Division One when we restart and we will frighten teams to death with our pace.

“I thought it was a poor league last season, I didn’t think it was a great league the year before. It was typified when Skegness came to us (last November). They were top of the league and flying. They keeled over after 20 minutes. Why? Because they weren’t fit and we won 4-2.

“I think other clubs will follow the young players stance. Athersley are one. They are making a stance. Harrogate Railway as well and they will be others.

“You do need a sprinkling of experience, but if you can build a team around quality youth, I think you can be more than competitive. I’m not talking about 16 or 17-year-olds. 

“The average age of what’s looking like our first team squad next season will certainly be around 20/21. That’s not necessarily kids. There’s a few who are 23, 24 and there’s a couple of older heads in (Lee) Kelsey, Adam (Hayton) and another lad.

“I think it is the right way to go and I’ve tried to use this phrase for a few years, but we are trying to build a sustainable model that will be successful for the club for years to come.”