A GROUP of National League clubs including Hereford FC have called for the league’s chairman to resign over an ‘indefensible continuation of apparent disregard’ to the concerns raised by the group.
The group of clubs includes Hereford FC along with AFC Fylde, AFC Telford, Chester, Dulwich Hamlet FC,
Kidderminster Harriers FC, Maidstone United FC, Dorking and Chesterfield are appealing against the amount decided to give each club in the National League Premier, North and South.
Last month Graham wrote to the National League Board, representing the group to voice their concerns and request a review of the allocation model with immediate effect.
The Bulls are set to receive £36,000 per month funding from the National League to cover lost revenue while they play behind closed doors.
The money comes after the National League received £10 million funding as part of the partnership with The National Lottery, to allow clubs to continue playing matches behind closed doors.
Hereford are one of five National North/South clubs to receive a £36,000 share alongside Chester, Dulwich Hamlet, Maidstone and York.
The remaining clubs in the National League North and South will received £30,000.
National League clubs have received significantly more with Chesterfield, Hartlepool, Notts County, Stockport, Torquay, Wrexham and Yeovil receiving£95,000 a month, with the 16 other clubs receiving £84,000.
A statement from the group says that talks have now reached a ‘stalemate’.
The group say with ‘no meaningful’ communication from National League chairman Brian Barwick they have called for him to resign.
Spokesperson for the group Andrew Graham, of Hereford FC, said: “We are aware of the method for determining the allocation of funds to National League Clubs and are concerned that the outcome of this method does not represent the initial purpose of the funds, as stated by the Department for Culture Media & Sports. Given the absence of explanation and transparency regarding our concerns, and a refusal to date to correct what to us appear as unacceptable conflicts of interest at board level, a growing number of clubs who have been adversely affected by this action, have lost confidence in the leadership of the National League and its decision-making mechanism.”
Graham added that while clubs are extremely grateful for the funds there has not been a transparency over how the funds were allocated.
“There has been unsatisfactory transparency over how funds were allocated and there are inexplicable inconsistencies, which amount to some clubs receiving five times as much in funding as others, per absent spectator,” added Graham.
“As a result, some of our clubs will now face income shortfalls, which may threaten their existence.
“Despite rumours of matters being discussed at sub-committee level of the National League we have received no meaningful communication regarding our request for an independent panel review of the allocation.
“This is an indefensible continuation of apparent disregard for the justified concerns we raise and it is for these reasons that we are left with no option other than to immediately call for the National League chairman Brian Barwick to resign and for an independent panel to be appointed to review this matter transparently and objectively.”
Graham added that clubs should be focussing on how to continue providing football facilities and entertainment for their communities, backed up by ‘generous’ Government financing.
“Instead some clubs are facing financial turmoil, due to what appears to be the National League Board’s serious errors of judgment in making unilateral, subjective decisions regarding distribution, which ignore Government guidelines and ignore the board’s conflicts of interest,” added Graham.
“Our clubs cannot let this pass unchecked, as it has resulted in some clubs now facing serious financial difficulty.”
