Sleaford Town boss Jamie Shaw believes football may have a 'different landscape' when action returns

Jamie Shaw believes that non-league football may well become a ‘different landscape’ when action returns.

On Thursday the FA announced that all action from steps three to seven in the National League System had been halted following the Coronavirus pandemic.

This means that all results have been expunged and there will be no promotions or relegations from those divisions - which include Sleaford Town in the United Counties League Premier Division and Sleaford Town Rangers in the Balcan Lighting Supplies Lincs League.

“It’s something I feel really quite conflicted over,” Greens manager Shaw told The Standard.

“A large part of me thinks I’m not sure anybody in the world cares what a bloke from Sleaford thinks when people in the world are dying.

“But a certain part of me thinks that an enormous amount of people, volunteers, have put a lot of time, commitment and money into football this season.

“And at this level football clubs are still important to people and their communities.”

Shaw (pictured) said he felt the decision, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, was the sensible one, but offered his sympathies to clubs who had secured, or looked set to gain, promotion.

“Our point of view is that it hasn’t affected us in the same way it does a South Shields, Jersey Bulls or Vauxhall Motors. The impact on them is very different,” Shaw added.

“But my gut instinct is that it’s probably the right decision, but possibly made too soon.

“These are unprecedented times and its an occasion where I feel sorry for the FA.

“Whatever they did, they could not do right. Whatever decision it would upset some people.”

Shaw, however, fears that the longer Coronavirus sees sport shut own, the greater impact it will have on football as we know it.

“Communities will want their clubs as a centre point to cling to when this is over, whenever that is,” he added.

“But I was talking about what impact this could have last night. Our football club and others rely on sponsors to effectively gift them money.

“But after this we don’t know if businesses will still be in a similar position to be able to sponsor football clubs as their business model could be out the window.

“I can’t see how some clubs can survive without that money.

“Some players may not be getting the expenses they’ve been used to before. It’s not a problem for us as we scarcely pay our players.

“But if you’re a self-employed builder playing semi-pro football and you’re asked to miss work to travel 70 miles on a Tuesday night to play for free, and pay for your own petrol out of your own pocket, you’d probably say no.

“I think we may be looking at a different landscape.”