Pic: Edmund Boyden
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE manager Mark Bower says the end of emergency loans in the Football League has had a serious knock-on effect for sides in the National League.
World football’s governing body FIFA scrapped the emergency loan window in a bid to protect the “sporting integrity of competitions”.
It means clubs in the Football League are only able to bring in players during the summer and January transfer windows.
With no means to bring in short-term loans to cover injuries or suspensions, Football League clubs are opting to hang on to fringe players in case they are needed.
That means, subsequently, that clubs in the National League who normally look to bring in players struggling to get games are being thwarted.
It has left Bower scratching his head as he desperately tries to bolster his Avenue squad in the demanding National League North.
The former Bradford City defender and Guiseley boss told the Telegraph & Argus: “The transfer window in the Football League is definitely causing problems at our level and restricting movement of players.
“Clubs are not releasing players or sending them out on loan, so there’s hardly any movement.
“A lot of players are not getting enough game time but their clubs are reluctant to let them leave or send them out on loan because they won’t be able to get any replacements if and when they get suspensions and injuries.
“It’s definitely filtering down to our division and the one above. We’re actively looking for players to strengthen our squad and I’ve spoken to a lot of managers at all levels over the last couple of weeks and there’s not too much happening.
“That makes it difficult and it’s very frustrating because we want to bring in two or three new faces.”
