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It helped provide some sense of normality during the Covid-19 lockdown, but streaming matches online now look set to become a regular feature in the Vanarama National League.

The announcement from the National League that its board had approved a set of recommendations to progress the implementation of streaming came last Friday evening, a day after the 15th September board meeting.

The response to it appeared less unanimous than the board’s approval had been and was broadly split along two lines:

We spoke to Aldershot Town manager Mark Molesley on the NL Full Time podcast, and although obviously keen to discuss his team’s 5-1 win over FC Halifax Town in front of the BT Sport cameras, we also took the opportunity to ask him about streaming.

‘Moles’ understandably stayed away from the business implications for his club, but spoke persuasively of his conviction that football remains something best experienced live:

“I still feel you can’t beat getting into the stadium and watching it for real. That is football. You need to go in and see it, smell it and feel it, you can’t beat that Saturday feeling. It’s our heritage; it’s so much deeper than streaming it, than just watching it on a computer.”

Progression towards a streaming platform for the entire league, rather than something managed individually by clubs, has required the agreement and support of BT Sport. Their contractual agreement to be the league’s broadcaster covers streaming, and sponsors Vanarama has also been closely aligned with the discussions.

The National League appear hopeful that they are sufficiently advanced in their plans to have a streaming platform in operation for the second half of the current season, although initially, that would only cover Step 1, and not the North and South at Step 2.

Matches would not be able to be broadcast between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on a Saturday, maintaining compliance with Article 48 of the UEFA Statutes; this is more commonly known as the “black-out rule”, put in place to protect clubs, fans and players from effectively being in competition with live TV coverage of football games.

There remains much to be fleshed out over the coming months. Some fans feel that streaming may harm their club’s attendances and income, whilst others see an opportunity in broadening their fanbase or gaining additional income on top of existing gate receipts, effectively increasing their capacity for sold-out matches.

NL Full Time will be sure to be following this story with interest…

Looking Ahead

What might feature in this weekend’s podcast?

Leaders Chesterfield head for Kent to face Maidstone United, whilst Wrexham host Torquay United, eyeing a chance to go to the top of the table if the Spireites slip up. Our own Rob Worrall will be at Altrincham, and will be joined by Chris Pratt as the Robins attempt to gain their first win of the season against Aldershot Town.

In the North, Dickie Worton will see Boston United try to continue their new manager bounce under Ian Culverhouse; they’re at AFC Telford United, who need to find a much-needed win after a poor start. Leaders King’s Lynn Town head for Curzon Ashton, whilst in the South, all-conquering Ebbsfleet United put their 100% record on the line at Hungerford Town.

The podcast is available weekly throughout the season, sometimes we even throw in a midweek special edition too, and all episodes of the podcast are available here:

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