Football Review – A Non-League Football Review

Administration is not a word that football fans ever want to hear about their clubs. The term is often used to describe football clubs not being able to pay off their outstanding debts, meaning they choose to enter administration (sanction). In layman terms, administration puts accountants in charge of pretty much everything, apart from coaching the players and picking the team. But in order to solve this, the football creditors rule requires football-related debts such as wages owed to players and staff and transfer fees owed to other clubs to be paid first.

In 2000, ITV Digital brought broadcasting rights to Football League and League Cup matches in a three-year deal, worth £315 million. By March 2002, the company had gone bankrupt owing the Football League £180 million which is said it “couldn’t afford to pay”. Because of this, many football clubs had financial problems and entered administration.

In 2003, it was proposed that clubs entering administration would be docked 10 points. Before this, it was thought clubs had manipulated and abused administration as a way of shredding debts then restructuring, and borrowing again. A “fit and proper persons” test was also introduced in an attempt to prevent fraudulent activities. If a person had previously directed at a club which was in administration twice during a five-year period or at two different clubs that had each gone into administration in a five-year period then they would be prevented from becoming controlling shareholder at a football club.

With the introduction of the Premier League, football clubs who had been relegated from the top tier had found it difficult to readjust with a smaller budget. As a result, parachute payments were introduced to help ease the financial difficulties that came with being relegated between two leagues with two very different shares of money. Whilst this eased some financial trouble, it wouldn’t completely eradicate the problem. And with it only helping clubs recently relegated back to the Championship, there is a much bigger problem towards the foot of the English League system.

For many clubs, going into administration is not the answer. Instead, and sadly, many clubs disappear from existence and are forced to fold. The latest example coming as St Panteleimon withdraw from the Spartan South Midlands League. The club had only just faced Potton United in the league, losing 2-1 on March 23. Despite having lost three on the bounce, the London side sat 5th in the Premier Divison, winning just under half of their games this season. But for a club who groundshare, the financial demands aren’t always sustainable and they aren’t the only club who have been lost in the last few years. Below are just some examples;

▪️ Whyteleafe FC were lost at the start of the 2021/22 season, after they had lost their Church Road home

▪️ Coggeshall United failed to re-enter a league in 2023 after they finished bottom of the Eastern Counties League Division One South

▪️ East Thurrock United were liquidated on September 23, after historic debts from previous owners had taken its toll.

The loss of clubs just highlights the importance of getting supporters through the turnstiles and why days like Non-League Day are also important to raise the profile of the lower leagues.

But what are the reasons for such loss?

Well, money has a lot to do with it. Even in the lower reaches of English Football, money is still heavily spent as clubs look to progress up the ladder, getting as close as they can to the National League. Despite this, clubs aren’t bringing in the revenue you often see Premier League clubs bringing in so quite literally, every supporter throughout the gates helps. As well as spending money on players, clubs also have to fund stadiums that are often half empty on a matchday and the cost of officials, who need to be paid for their time. This all adds up and when revenue is very limited, you can often find a shortfall. While many clubs can operate on minimal costs, in order to really progress, the money spent has to go up and this does often take its toll.

There is no football pyramid without the bottom foundations so non-league has to be kept alive. Get out and show your support for your local non-league side.