'This inequality is harmful ' - South Shields chairman wants to see major changes over how funding is handed out across football pyramid

The Mariners supremo spoke out as the Northern Premier League promotion contenders continue to wrestle with the economic impact of the Covid-19 epidemic.

This week has brought speculation that funding is about to be released by the Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport – although it is believed that will take the form of a loan.

That is a contrast to the National Lottery funding that has been given to National League, National League North and National League South clubs over the last month.

With competitive action unlikely to be seen at the 1st Cloud Arena and other non-league grounds around the country until the new year, Thompson believes the time is right for the game’s governing bodies to reassess how funding is allocated across the pyramid.

He told The Gazette: “There can’t be this inequality and inconsistency across the game when it comes to finance.

“You have the lottery money that has gone to steps one and two, which is a good thing, it’s absolutely a good thing.

“Some of those clubs are small in terms of crowd size and ambition, and they are getting between £30,000 and £90,000 a month from this lottery money.

“Yet just a step lower, there are a number of clubs that are larger in many respects, and I am not just talking about ourselves here.

“The money mentioned that could come to steps three to seven, is a drop in the ocean and there is talk of that being a loan, which seems unfair.

“There has been a cut-off below step two and it’s as if non-league football at that level doesn’t matter.

“What should happen is that we need a root and branch review of the pyramid and how it is funded.

“This inequality is harmful and it’s impacting on clubs and the communities where they are based.

“Monies are not flowing down, people will say I would say that, but it is true.

“The situation needs to be looked at once we come out of the other side of this.”

Thursday night brought confirmation that Northern Premier League clubs had voted overwhelmingly in favour to postpone fixtures until the new year.

In a statement released on their website, the NPL announced that their member clubs – alongside with those in the two other step three and four leagues – had supported a resolution to delay the reintroduction of competitive fixtures with a regular review of the situation.

The outcome of the vote is being considered and the Football Association will also be able to give comment on the way forward.

As further news is awaited, Mariners chairman Thompson bemoaned the lack of consistency and clarity across the country and described the situation as “unhealthy”.

“There are a series of emails from club chairman sharing their thoughts and concerns and the consistent theme is the lack of clarity.

“I understand it’s difficult to get consistency, but clubs at this level simply can’t play behind closed doors.

“It’s not fair to expect them to do so and we need both clarity and consistency as soon as possible.”

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