The Toolstation Northern Counties East has become the latest league to confirm a series of measures to help member clubs survive the coronavirus crisis.
The NCEL followed in the footsteps of the South West Peninsular League and the North West Counties Football League on Wednesday by waiving the £17,000 plus in fees clubs pay for competing in the league and matchday inspections.
In total, the competition is writing off £36,378 with each of its 40 clubs benefiting on average to the tune of £909. Along with promising free footballs for season 2020/21, player registration fees for the expunged 2019/20 campaign will not be charged.
The competition's officials also confirmed a number of other key moves in line with the government's guidance on social distancing. They include the cancellation of their annual awards night and AGM in Harrogate in June and the reimbursement of tickets charges to clubs within days.
#NCEL LEAGUE NEWS
The @ToolstationUK NCEL have announced a number of financial measures to help clubs during the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.https://t.co/nzlIz2Y6p0
— Toolstation NCEL (@NCEL) April 15, 2020
This summer's 2020 Toolstation Cup match – a pre-season charity game between clubs from the NCEL and the Western League – has also been mothballed until next year. Doncaster Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium has also been re-booked to stage next year's league cup final after this season's showpiece event never got the chance to kick off.
The statement read: “The Toolstation Northern Counties East Football League is pleased to announce the following measures with the aim of helping our forty clubs financially in these uncertain times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The total sum of these measures is £36,378 and it has been made possible to implement thanks to the continuing support of our sponsor, Toolstation.”
The seasons of all leagues at Steps 3 to 7 were terminated by the Football Association three weeks ago. The decision, which was ratified by the FA last week, sparked huge controversy after the campaign was declared null and void with no promotion or relegation below Step 2.
Since then, the SWPL has struck a deal worth £12,000 to its clubs thanks to the support of two main sponsors, Kitchen Kit and Walter C Parson Funeral Directors. The NWCFL's financial aid package is worth an estimated £35,000 to the competition's 60 member clubs who'll pay nothing to compete in the league or NWCFL cups next term.
Make sure you get your copy of The Non-League Paper from this weekend for the latest news on the impact of the coronavirus crisis on football after Step 3 & 4 sponsors BetVictor announced they were terminating their title sponsorship and the National League told clubs they could vote on how to conclude their campaigns.
In shops on Sundays and Mondays, The NLP is always available as a pound-busting digital edition and full replica of the printed paper from midnight on Saturdays. Save cash on single issues, even more on longer deals and the pages still rustle too!
Images courtesy of The Non-League Paper
