An update on Steps 3-6 of the NLS
The FA’s Alliance and Leagues Committees have now considered the large amount of data
and information submitted by clubs across the National League System (NLS) Steps 3-6 as
part of a survey to gather views on the continuation or conclusion of the 2020-21 league
season, in addition to the information set out in the Government’s roadmap this week.
Submissions were made by 99.1% of clubs at Steps 3 and 4, and 95.8% of clubs at Steps 5
and 6. We would like to thank the clubs for submitting their views and the time taken in
providing responses during what we appreciate is an incredibly challenging period for
everyone.
The results of the survey showed that over 76% of all clubs across Steps 3-6 indicated a
preference to curtail the 2020-21 league season if it could not be restarted with limited
spectator numbers and hospitality before 1 April 2021.
During this process, taking into account views of clubs and leagues it was decided that
extending the 2020-21 league season beyond the end of May 2021 would not be a viable
option. This was due to various considerations, including the financial implications for many
clubs, player contracts and the extent of the fixture scheduling issues caused by the national
lockdown and various postponements which had resulted in there being 81% of matches left
to complete for Steps 3 and 4, and 75% at Steps 5 and 6.
Taking into account the survey results and the ongoing impact of Covid-19, which continues
to adversely affect incomes for clubs due to restrictions on both spectators and hospitality,
The FA’s Alliance and Leagues Committees have reached a consensus that subject to the
approval of FA Council, the 2020-21 league season for Steps 3-6 of the NLS should be
curtailed with immediate effect, with no further league matches taking place this season.
The Committees will now present their collective recommendations to The FA Council for
ratification.
It has also been decided that subject to FA Council’s decision regarding the curtailment of
the season at Steps 3 to 6, both committees will revisit discussions around a potential
restructure at Steps 4-6 of the NLS, which was previously agreed and has been on hold
since the 2019-20 season. A further update on this will be provided in due course.

AT THE time of going to print Brighouse Town AFC were still awaiting, despite the PM’s route out of Lockdown, on news of whether their NPL Division North West season for the second year running had been declared null and void.

With the further loss of the entire month of March and the possibility of playing at least 10 fixtures in that time against a backlog of in many cases 28-30 games, the entire club memberships along the M62 corridor were of the opinion that termination was the only option.

While grant aid is being received at Steps 3-6 to help with ground maintenance and utility bills, the universal feeling all along was that games couldn’t be played if spectators were not allowed in.

There is no Tier system this time around where a proportion of each club’s capacity attendance could be allowed in at the start of the 2020-21 campaign, so it will no doubt unfurl in the next few days what sort of crowds clubs at Town’s level could be allowed in for the regional competitions they plan, like Town’s under the directorship of their manager Vill Powell.

By May 17 in the latter stages of those competitions it will see maximum attendances for non-league clubs with Elite football being allowed 10,000 crowds unless there was a setback with covid figures failing to continuing to be in decline.

Town’s academy manager Simon Ward has produced a promotional video with the club’s media manager Damian Wales to attract this year’s Year 11 students and their parents/guardians to signing up for the full time academy programme. That includes B-Tech course work alongside football training and midweek league matches which can then lead towards Football League club apprenticeships and also university placings.

Sowerby Bridge-based Ward has been doing a sterling job in the past two educational years battling against the pandemic and unable to get his students out on to the pitch for games in the past twelve months.

The promotional film can be seen on httyps://youtu.be/ziJpGgcNu.

Brighouse Town’s women’s team are now hoping to hear, even if their NPL is declared null and void, if they can continue with their FA Cup run. The second round home tie with Newcastle United Women has been postponed since Sunday, January 3 because of the pandemic.

“They just need to know where they stand,” said director of football Colin Tomkins.

The financial legacy from the Tottenham-capped FA Cup run for Marine in Town’s league has led to plans for a 3G pitch to lead to even more community involvement and security for many years to come for the Liverpool club based in Crosby.