The National Lottery will provide a £10m funding lifeline to the National League to keep it afloat through the pandemic following a unique deal brokered by the government.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has announced that National League football clubs will receive the funding as part of a unique partnership with The National Lottery.
The support will benefit the 66 clubs in the fifth and sixth tiers of English football, allowing them to continue playing behind closed doors while the return of fans remains paused due to rising infection rates in the UK.
Alongside the support for clubs, National Lottery players will also receive a range of benefits, including free tickets once it’s safe to reopen stadia, grassroots football opportunities, and VIP experiences at Wembley Stadium.
The emergency support package, which will reach clubs quickly via the Football Association (FA), is in recognition of the vital role National League clubs play in their local areas, being a source of pride to their towns, giving children opportunities to get active, and being at the heart of their communities.
Dowden said: “I know from a brilliant club in my area that National League football clubs are the beating heart of their communities and too precious to lose. This £10m fund will provide a bridge to help clubs survive this immediate crisis whilst we work together on the safe return of fans. I’m very grateful to National Lottery players for getting help to these community clubs so quickly.”
Nigel Railton, Chief Executive of National Lottery operator Camelot, added: “The National Lottery has been making a huge difference to communities across the country for the past 26 years, so we’re delighted to be working with the National League and FA to protect these essential clubs and help them to continue the vital work they carry out in their local communities.
“Millions of National Lottery players love football, so our partnership will also see them receive a range of great benefits. It’s our way of saying thank you to our players, who make a difference every time they buy a ticket.”
Mark Bullingham, FA Chief Executive, said: “This financial support is crucial as these clubs are the heartbeat of their communities and it would be a travesty if they were not able to survive. We have worked hard with the National League, Government and The National Lottery to make this happen and would like to thank everyone involved.
“The return of fans to stadiums remains a priority for us and we will continue to work with the Government and stakeholders across the game to reintroduce spectators in a safe way as soon as possible.”
The UK Government is now working with the National Lottery to develop similar initiatives with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland FAs.
