The National-League Contract Page 4

By Adam Hardy

National League Captains have called for talks over ‘shocking’ contract changes imposed by the FA. The new conditions will come into effect on 1st July 2023 and will impact players across the football leagues. The changes will see injured non-league players only paid in full for 12 weeks after an injury. Clubs can then reduce wages to statutory sick pay - £99.35 a week - until they are fit. National League Captains composed a letter for the FA in which they stated “We are writing on behalf of all National League players who are shocked and frustrated at the significant changes being proposed. Football is our livelihood and the sole mechanism for financially supporting our families.” It added “The PFA have told us they made it very clear they opposed these changes and viewed them as a serious reduction in player rights.” The contract also states that if a club doctor rules a player out for more than four months, the contract of the player can be terminated. For players like Dorking Wanderer’s Adam Meeki the new contract is a serious reminder that life in football is not guaranteed. “As someone who has experienced their fair share of injuries, this new proposal is a disaster. This is clearly proposed by individuals who do not have an elite footballing background and think this is a sensible idea.” At 31, Meeki hopes that this new contract will not affect him, but for younger players this new contract makes the threat of injuries evermore dangerous. Within the previous contract regulations, a player’s contract could only be terminated by a club if they suffered permanent incapacity as established by a medical examination. Amidst the storm, National League players have announced they may strike over the changes. Whilst a strike is drastic, Oldham’s Peter Clarke believes it may “be necessary” in order for the FA to understand the impacts of these changes. Players for clubs below the Non League players would be paid their full wage for six weeks after an injury, rather than up to 12 in the National League. North West Counties Football League’s Maccelsfield FC announced they would be paying the normal wage through periods of serious injury despite the new guidelines. In a club statement they declared “our players show massive loyalty to us as a club, and we are committed to extending our loyalty back to them.”

Stephen Killen Football Trends Writer for the Liverpool Echo believes “the proposals are ridicolous from a moral and ethical standpoint.” He continued, “In any walk of life these plans would creater anger as well as stress.” This is the opinion that has been echoed throughout the leagues but the FA are yet to respond publicly since their comments that they had “updated the standard form-non-league contract in order to better reflect current employment legislation and to provide each party with greater certainty in this area.” But Killen believes in a time like this support for players is integral. “During a cost of living crisis it’s completely wide of the mark. Footballers, especially lower down the pyramid, depend on contracts and the safety net they provide.

“We are seeing the prospects of livelihoods impacted without footballers even being considered in these discussions. With fears continuing to grow the writer is worried that “if these changes are implemented players are going to be reluctant to sign contracts and remain on non-contract terms. The likelihood is that there wont be stability at football clubs and there is the potential that we may see a lot of these players stop playing altogether. This is a very real threat to this level of football with many calling it ‘mortgage football’ because of its integral part in providing players with their income. Though he does welcome the idea that it “may see players rushing back to earn their full pay packet .” he warns that this may run the risk of even more injuries and long term damage. Some though, dis- agree and believe that the change is beneficial for clubs and that players must accept it. Supposed national league expert and Twitter User @ImDumbVirgo believes “its a fair contract from the club’s point of view. In normal life, SSP is common. Footballers live in an over protected world. They reap the rewards when things go well, so they should accept it when they do not.”

Players in the UK do reap rewards that greatly exceed the average in the UK. In the United Kingdom if an employee is sick for 4 days then a company is legally allowed to pay them SSP. This is not close to comparable to footballers who must still be out for 6 weeks before they recieve SSP. Whilst these footballers are more at risk of injuries and illness, people in the UK who are not involved in the game may believe these new con trract changes reflect society and are fair. This didn’t stop former Southport Midfielder Paddy Lacey publicly brandishing the changes as atounding. “How can they expect lads to put their bodies on the line if when they get injured their wages get decreased or cancelled.”

Chesterfield captain Jamie Grimes has confirmed that the captains are in talks with the FA which “is good”.