Tonbridge Angels: To commit to unknown levels of debt whether direct or indirect seems to us a dangerous and foolhardy path down which to proceed

TONBRIDGE ANGELS have revealed that they have voted for their National League South campaign to be suspended.

 

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport have severely limited any further direct grant aid to all National League, National League North and National League South clubs, despite the continuing ban on spectators due to the Coronavirus health pandemic.

The National League held virtual meetings with all of its 66 clubs yesterday evening and there were three options that were put on the table:

1.  The operation of a Club Loan process

2. The operation of a National League loan resulting in loss of central funding to clubs

3. A suspension to the National League 2020-21 season.

Clubs were told by the League to come back that same evening with their preferred options.

A Tonbridge Angels statement said: “It was a unanimous decision by the board of Tonbridge Angels to recommend option three and the National League were thus informed at nine o’clock yesterday evening.”

Chairman Dave Netherstreet said in a statement: “With no real certainty as to when restrictions will be eased or lifted completely, to commit to unknown levels of debt whether direct or indirect seems to us a dangerous and foolhardy path down which to proceed.

“We want our supporters to be able to return to a thriving community club once this terrible pandemic is over.”

Representations are being made by the Longmead Stadium club to the Government via their local MP, Tom Tugendhat, regarding the “funding of the National League.”

A decision from the National League is expected by tomorrow.

Tonbridge Angels are in thirteenth-place in the table with 16 points from their 13  games in a 40 match season, a forgotten season where games are being played behind closed doors and screened online by clubs.

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ website: www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk