AFC Fylde owner tells National League: We need decisions about next season if fans are locked out until 2021

AFC Fylde say an action plan is needed for next season as well as this one

The Coasters owner is looking for the league to press on with rulings over the resumption of football next season, whenever that may be.

The key question for Haythornthwaite is whether it is preferable to delay the start of next season until it is safe for supporters to return to stadiums.

He said: “I think it’s widely accepted that there won’t be any games with crowds before New Year unless there is some radical change, so the real question is do you start the National League without crowds and a decision has to be made.

“I’m slightly disappointed that those issues that can be addressed now are not being because we need to plan as clubs.”

A lack of income is the biggest threat to non-league clubs at the moment and Haythornthwaite would like some reassurances.

There has been talk of behind-closed-doors matches being streamed online so fans can watch, but the Fylde chairman believes that is not realistic at National League level.

Haythornthwaite added: “It’ clear to me that starting the season behind closed doors in the National League is very difficult because we can’t get any income.

“There’s no point people talking about streaming games at our level because there is no interest.

“One or two of the bigger clubs, with big crowds and big followings, might benefit but there are not many of those in our league – maybe Notts County and Stockport have a decent fan base, possibly Chesterfield.

“They might be able to get streaming but I think it’s doubtful. It’s very expensive to get a return on your money.

“I think the decision on starting the season without crowds is one we have to make quickly – either we are going to or we’re not.

“If we’re not, I think that allows all of us to prepare for a pre-season in December and start in January, and maybe extend the season into June.

“What I don’t want is to see us to have a bad end to this season and then a bad start to the next one.

“Let’s make sure we have a good start to the next one.”

National League clubs voted on April 22 to play no further league games this season but a decision on promotion and relegation is yet to be reached.

League Two clubs also voted to end their season last Friday and indicated they wish to see no teams relegated to the National League, though these decisions require approval from the FA.