Mark Carruthers' non-league verdict: Five wishes for 2021 as clubs begin to look forward

But take solace in the fact that what you are hopefully about to read is not a piece on ‘*insert relevant number* things you might have missed’ from a game you watched just an hour earlier.

So, if you are sticking with me and are fascinated by what I hope to see in the new year, let us have a look forward and move on from the abomination that was 2020.

Supporters back watching games around the region

It has been a frustrating year for match-going supporters around the North East non-league scene.

The decisions taken by the Football Association and leagues to either suspend or move games behind closed doors has left supporters with a major void in their lives.

We are very fortunate to have a flourishing non-league scene and it is as important to the region as the under-performing ‘big three’.

However, this year has created a distance between clubs and supporters as the latter has been limited to watching via live streams or with a restricted attendance.

Of course, we all understand why these actions have been taken, and there are more important things going on around the country, but let’s hope we can see supporters back in grounds getting behind their clubs and experiencing the match day we all know and love.

Sensible financial support packages for clubs below National League North level

The financial impact of the epidemic has pushed non-league clubs around the country into uncertain territory.

Income has been limited, most revenue streams have been cut off and the financial outlook is somewhat bleak.

Somehow, despite the ongoing strain, casualties have been limited and we head into the new year with the vast majority of clubs still alive.

However, there have been warning signs that clubs are fearing for their future if financial support does not arrive over the coming weeks.

Our National League and National League North quintet have received support in their form of grants from the National Lottery.

But those plying their trade below that level have been forgotten and there have been discussions of offering interest-free loans, rather than grants.

Such a ‘gesture’ should be seen as an insult from those in charge of the national game.

And although I appreciate there is no ‘magic money tree’ (coughs), there has to be a realisation from the Football Association and government that clubs can not saddle themselves with even more debt during a financial crisis.

Player welfare must come first over the next six months

With Covid-enforced postponements and the threat of more lockdowns, it is a safe assumption that many of our clubs could be faced with the prospect of playing three to four games a week in order to complete the season in the “normal” manner.

Although the financial income that could create would be more than welcome, national and county associations and the leagues themselves have a responsibility to take player welfare into account when they make decisions over fixtures.

The majority of our clubs have semi-professional players, who rely on their full-time employment to provide the vast majority, if not all of their income.

Away from the financial side of their lives, playing three to four games a week over a sustained period of time increases the pressure on their bodies and the risk of succumbing to injuries.

Discussions could and should be ongoing over the possibility of either extending the season into the summer and delaying the start of next season with the possible cancellation of national and county cup competitions or amending how the current campaign is finalised with a limited number of fixtures played.

Either way, part-time players can not be expected to take on a ridiculous workload just so that Football Association can complete their long-awaited restructure of the non-league pyramid.

Two North East managerial stalwarts to get back into the game

I recently wrote about the departure of two of the North East’s most successful non-league managers over the last 12 months after Jason Ainsley and Nicky Gray left their respective roles at Spennymoor Town and Morpeth Town.

Between them, they have amassed a haul of 15 trophies and three promotions via a runners-up finish or play-off final win over a combined 24 years in the dugout at their respective clubs.

The North East non-league scene is a poorer place for their absence, and I am positive that neither man will be short of interest parties should vacancies arise over the coming months.

The all-Northern League FA Vase Final to be played

One of the few high points of 2020 was the day that Consett and Hebburn Town both reached the FA Vase Final.

For only the second time in the history of the competition, the Northern League will provide both finalists for its Wembley showpiece.

However, the long-awaited final is yet to be played, and although there have been discussions over a possible date in mid-to-late March 2021, no formal confirmation has been provided.

With both clubs still awaiting news over their first ever visit to the home of football, we can only hope that they receive positive news over the coming weeks.

Finally, can I thank you all for your support of the Sunderland Echo’s extended non-league coverage of the first four months of an unusual season.

I wish you all a Happy New Year and hope that 2021 allows us to return to some form of normality and get back to doing what we all love by supporting our wonderful non-league scene.