Curzon chairman faces new challenge

Ian Cheeseman speaks to Curzon Ashton chairman Wayne Salkeld about football's latest topic in question.

National League clubs have been faced with yet another dilemma as several call for the season to be suspended after concerns with a lack of funding currently being received.

Twelve National League North sides called for the league’s ‘immediate suspension’ after being left with three choices on the future of the season.

Curzon Ashton were among the clubs favouring the null and void of the season as concerns rose over the worries of being unable to afford to continue without a grant scheme. Chairman, Wayne Salkeld has spoken out on the lack of information and clarity clubs have been given surrounding the potential loan system.

“One of the options given was for the DCMS to offer a loan to all clubs, however they didn’t outline any of the terms of the loan. We’d need a lot more information about everything if we were to sit down and speak to our board members properly” he explained.

Teams were able to play earlier in the season due to grants given by the government, a scheme which many hoped would be offered to them again.

“As we were promised grants until Christmas, we thought this would be continued, loans were never mentioned. We didn’t necessarily expect loans to be the same amount as what we’ve previously received, but we thought we may be offered an amount just to see the season finish.”

“If we are unable to receive grants then we’d struggle as we simply would be unable to continue paying our players”.

Wayne says Curzon Ashton are against teams in the season that may have a lot more choice than they do, “in the league there are some clubs who are wealthier or ex-league clubs, they will probably go their own way or choose the route of loans as they can afford to do so.”

Without any further information available for teams as of current, Curzon are having to favour the route which suits them bests and enables them to have a stable future.

“At the present time we have had to go down the suspension route to keep our club afloat”.

You can listen to Ian's full chat with Wayne below.