National League's 'end season or carry on playing' vote is under way

Eastbourne Borough in action against Dulwich earlier in the season / Picture: Andy PellingEastbourne Borough in action against Dulwich earlier in the season / Picture: Andy Pelling
Eastbourne Borough in action against Dulwich earlier in the season / Picture: Andy Pelling
Eastbourne Borough and all their fellow National League clubs have now been asked to vote on a set of resolutions which will effectively decide whether, and how, their season will continue.

Borough have indicated their preference has been to play on while issues are thrashed out over government funding to cover clubs hit by having to play behind closed doors.

The bigger picture is whether clubs feel they can play on if the government does not promise to compensate them with grants - rather than the loans they have currently said clubs can bid for.

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An EBFC statement said: "Our Board will of course consider the options urgently but carefully, and we will have more to say - on this club website - as promptly as we sensibly can do so."

There are four resolutions clubs are now considering. Resolution 1 is about whether the member clubs vote, in their separate three divisions, on the continuation of the season. Resolutions 2 and 3 follow and are aimed at deciding whether to stop and carry on. If Resolution 1 fails, the vote moves straight to Resolution 4.

Although the wording sent to clubs says they have 28 days to respond, the vote is expected to be done and dusted this week.

Here are the full texts of the resolutions and the communication that has gone to clubs:

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"The National League has distributed resolutions this evening for Member Clubs to consider the outcome of the 2020/21 season.

"The resolutions are formed of four parts: one Special Resolution and three Ordinary Resolutions based on the outcome of the first. A Special Resolution requires a 75% majority to be passed, whereas an Ordinary Resolution requires a more than 50% majority. Resolution 1 and 4 votes will be counted under prescribed voting conditions. Resolution 2 and 3 will be counted with one vote per Member Club.

"Should Resolution 1 pass, Resolution 2 and 3 will be counted, with Resolution 4 disregarded. Should Resolution 1 be voted against, Resolution 4 will be counted, with Resolution 2 and 3 votes disregarded.

"Under The National League’s Articles of Association, Member Clubs have 28 days to return voting submissions.

"The resolutions are as follows:

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"Resolution 1 (All Clubs): That Resolution 2 about whether to end the 2020/21 Playing Season of The National League (Step 1) be taken only by Clubs in the National League and that Resolution 3 about whether to end the 2020/21 Playing Season of the National League North and the National League South (Step 2) be taken only by Clubs that play in the National League North or the National League South with votes cast for Resolution 3 being counted on a one member, one vote basis for National League North and National League South Clubs.

"Resolution 2 (National League Only). That, conditional upon Resolution 1 being passed, the 2020/21 Playing Season of the National League (Step 1) shall immediately end on the date this Resolution 2 is passed and be declared null and void and subject to the approval of The Football Association, those Regulations that provide for promotion and relegation to and from Step 1 be suspended for the 2020/21 Playing Season.

"Resolution 3 (National League North and South Only): That, conditional upon Resolution 1 being passed, the 2020/21 Playing Season of the National League North and the National League South (Step 2) shall immediately end on the date this Resolution 3 is passed and be declared null and void and subject to the approval of The Football Association those Regulations that provide for promotion and relegation to and from Step 2 be suspended for the 2020/21 Playing Season.

"Resolution 4 (All Clubs): That, conditional upon Resolution 1 not being passed, the 2020/21 Playing Season of the National League North and the National League South (Step 2) shall immediately end on the date this Resolution 3 is passed and be declared null and void and subject to the approval of The Football Association those Regulations that provide for promotion and relegation to and from Step 2 be suspended for the 2020/21 Playing Season."

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