Hereford FC are awaiting news from this afternoon's meeting of the National League Board which is set to take place at 2pm.
The meeting has been called to discuss the Government's latest statement about a delay in allowing a limited number of spectators to watch games.
The implications of a continued ban on spectators in stadiums are obvious. The revenue gained from ticket sales can not be made up in any other way. Whilst streaming of games would bring in some income there's little else that can be done other than hope faithful fans will buy season tickets. And every day uncertainty about spectators being allowed in to watch continues, increasing sales of season tickets seem unlikely. It hasn't helped that Hereford are only offering 50% back if the games are behind closed doors.
Hereford streamed their friendly with Solihull on Tuesday evening. It's thought around 300 'tickets' were sold producing around £1800 before costs. However the club needs an income of at least £10,000 per week to run with even a relatively small squad.
According to non-league expert Ollie Bayliss, most clubs in the National Prem want the season to start on October 3rd whereas clubs in the National North and South feel they can't start without supporters being allowed in unless there is some external funding perhaps from the Government or the Premier League.
And there is the question of whether the National Leagues South and North should be considered 'elite'.
For example Solihull Moors would like to start.
'The National League previously gained approval from the Government for our league to be classed as an elite sport. As of 23 September, all elite football in England above the National League has commenced (12 September) as well as other leagues below which are classed as non-elite.
It would appear that, as a league, we have been caught between elite and non-elite, causing serious uncertainty with regards to our 2020/21 fixture programme. As an elite league, we should be mirroring The EFL and Premier League, who commenced on 12 September.
In light of the Government’s latest announcement, we firmly believe that the season should commence on October 3 behind-closed-doors.'
On the other hand Hereford simply want more details.
'We are now waiting for confirmation from the National League as to what plans they have moving forward. As soon as we have more details ourselves, we will inform supporters of the next stage.'
There is another reason why the clubs take different views. Most Premier clubs are full time, however North and South clubs are part-time and some may have players on contracts that only start when competitive games commence. It's thought Hereford have offered players that kind of contract.
However even that may prove difficult as the first game for North and South clubs is an FA Cup tie on October 3rd. Clubs would probably have to start paying players from that date even if they wanted to see the season delayed until specators are allowed in.
On top of that the rules are so difficult to follow and to an extent ambigious.
Should Hereford be drawn to play away in the FA Cup against a team from a lower league then specators are likely to be able to watch. If they are drawn to play at Edgar Street then, as matters stand, the tie will be behind closed doors.
It has to be hoped that there will be some clarity coming out of this afternoon's National League Board meeting. Hopefully clubs will agree to an united approach. Divided they may be weaker.