Covid-19 Financial Support offered by the Western League

Following the Football Associations decision to void the 2019/20 season, the Toolstation Western released a statement to all member Clubs on March 27th, setting out a seven point plan to “help with the cash flow difficulties that the abandonment of the season has caused”.

All forty one Western League Clubs have now received a payment of £600. As the season has been declared void, prize money and sponsorship has been shared equally across all Clubs, a decision the League could not have taken had the future of the 2019/20 remained unresolved.

In addition to the cash payment, the League have also suspended player registration and transfer fees incurred between 1 December 2019 and 27 March 2020 and affiliation Fees for the 2020/21 season will not be invoiced before football can resume.

The Government have set out a number of financial initiatives designed to support the leisure industry, promoted by The FA. However, the Western League have set up their own interest free loan scheme, available upon request, for up to £1000.

Western League General Secretary, Andy Radford said: “The Western League Board are well aware of the difficulties faced by our member clubs at this unprecedented time and we believe it is imperative that we take action to ensure the well being and future of all in the League. We want to do everything we can to help with the cash flow difficulties that the abandonment of the season has caused”.