Eastbourne Borough star Cox gives damning verdict on National League crisis

The National League seems to have hit a stumbling block - again. A year ago no-one could have foreseen the impact the Covid pandemic would have on the football pyramid. While, clubs across the Football League have felt the financial pressure inflicted by the pandemic, it is the non-league - where fans make up the majority of club income - that the pandemic’s impact has snowballed in the past months.

The economic problems will linger for both the foreseeable and immediate future, but solutions are still yet to be agreed upon. The National League is less than halfway through the season and, with clubs arguing over whether they should play on with government grants having turned into the offer of loans only, the league is grappling with how to move forward - much to the exasperation of its key stakeholders.

“It’s a lack of leadership right from the top," said Cox. “They need to sit down and common sense needs to prevail. Everything’s being leaked. ‘We’re voting this or that’. I feel sorry for whoever is sorting it out. It's a mess."

Non-league boards must have realised this season could be affected in a similar way to last; but was there adequate planning in place. Many think not.

“Exactly," said Cox. “That's the frustration for the players, managers and boards. They knew this was coming…and they’ve let it get out of control.”

Cox, who made more than 350 Football League appearances before switching to the non-league game in 2018, was quick to acknowledge that no-club should be pressurised into playing.

“Just because the club doesn’t want to play doesn't mean that they are a problem. Every club has got to look after itself and make sure the club is still here. If the teams can’t afford to-play, don't play. No game of football is worth using your club over.”

Cox has just announced his wife is expecting their second child and he admits there are concerns for the welfare of players, staff and officials.

“We’re lucky at Eastbourne that the club pays for testing, but not all clubs test their players. We need someone to look after the clubs, the players, the managers and staff alike. We're sort of left to our own devices.”

For players such as Cox, finding out whether or not a match is on the night before it is scheduled is hardly ideal. Currently, the future of the non-league seems to be changing on an almost “day by day” basis.

Cox said: “I’m getting texts from fans asking when are we back... I can’t even tell a supporter if I'm playing on Saturday, and we’re 72 hours away from the game”. If I don’t know what’s happening - what chance is there?

“The National league board needs to get hold of this. They need to come to a decision soon. [Clubs] don't know if they are going to get money at the end of the month so how are they going to pay the players? The chairman is paying…but they don't know if they’re getting it back."

Cox added: “As much as I don't want it, the easiest thing would be to null-and-void. We’re banging our heads against a brick wall… it’s such a mess - it’s laughable. We’re going to training…doing team-shape, set-pieces - but, you thinking what’s the point? Are we playing? What’s going on?”

“The league have said they want us to fulfil the fixtures, but there’s clubs who aren’t prepared to play. You’re making the situation worse...we either all play or you stop it. “The table looks absolutely ridiculous. Some have played 15 games, some nine, ten. It's a crazy season, but I don't think the National League board have helped themselves.”

National League clubs are now voting on whether to discontinue the season. Decisions are awaited...