Hereford FC have released a statement in which they reveal they have voted to 'null and void' the National North season.
Statement in full:
We can confirm that the Club has returned voting submissions to determine the outcome of the 2020/21 Season. We have voted in favour of Resolutions 1, 3 & 4.
- Resolution 1 – we voted for the National League North and South to decide their own leagues fate
- Resolution 3 – (assuming that resolution 1 passes) we voted to Null and Void the season
- Resolution 4 – we voted for the National League North vote to Null and Void the season
Whilst we are very grateful for the Grant funding from the National Lottery for the months October, November and December we were initially informed that Grant funding would be in place for the season, if fans were not allowed into Edgar Street. We budgeted sensibly for the season on that basis, as guided by the League, and accepted the grants with the expectation they would be extended after three months, rather than changing to loans.
Chairman, Rob Crawford said “The board has worked hard over the past
year to get the Clubs’ finances into a better position and we do not
want to return to the days that risked the Clubs’ existence. If we had
known at the start of the season that we would have been faced with this
situation only 3 months in then we could have made a different decision
on whether to start the league at all.
“While the overwhelming desire of the Board was to complete the season given the efforts and sacrifices of our players, management, staff, volunteers and fans, it is with regret we no longer believe this is possible without the grants that Clubs were assured would be in place until it was safe for crowds to return.
“We fully recognise the disappointment our fans will feel that the Club has been forced to take these steps. We share that disappointment but the Board must consider the long-term financial impact of what everyone recognises as very unprecedented times, and we would rightly be criticised if we did not. These are not decisions taken lightly and although hugely disappointing, the Board and I believe we have acted in the best interests of the Club, given the existing uncertainties. We very much hope that the wider issues will be resolved quickly and in such a way as to work in the Club’s favour. This has been an extremely difficult decision but one that has been taken solely to ensure the continuation of the Club our supporters have worked so hard to build since 2015.
“As the custodians of the Football Club, we must act responsibly to
safeguard its future and ending the season is the only certain way to do
this given the options available to us and will help us recover from
the unprecedented financial challenges of the past 12 months.
“There remains a high level of uncertainty about COVID-19 and its
impact on football at all levels, and it is on the basis of that
uncertainty that we have reached this decision. Whilst we are prepared
to continue playing, as we wait for the outcome of the vote to determine
whether or not the season will continue, we fully appreciate that other
clubs may not be in a position to do the same and wish them well during
these difficult times.
“Finally, we wish to thank our loyal fans for their outstanding and unwavering support during what has been an exceptionally difficult period”.
We will continue to keep you updated as and when; with any further news we are able to share.