The Football Association‘s Director of Professional Game Relations Andy Ambler has revealed tweaks made to the Non-League Player Contracts following dialogue with the Step 1 captains’ group led by Yeovil Town‘s Josh Staunton.
In a wide-ranging Q&A with Ambler, the FA have released an update on the new player contracts that are due to be introduced from 2023-24.
Following the initial release of the alterations that could have seen injured players only paid in full for 12 weeks – and those who play Step 2 and down would be entitled to six weeks – unless an opt-in box was ticked, the 24 National League captains released a joint-statement calling for urgent talks with the FA on the situation.
Other issues centered around a club being able to cancel a contract with three months’ notice if the opinion of a club-instructed doctor was the player wouldn’t return in four months.
Ambler hailed the positivity of talks and the resolutions they have brought which, among other changes, will see “that the player receives their full pay of their contract, subject to the parties agreeing an alternative arrangement, which must meet a minimum level of support”.
Q: Andy, why does The FA have a specific Non-League Player Contract in place for the National League System [NLS]?
AA: It’s vitally important to have a mandated standard-form contract at this level of English football. It’s primarily in place to protect and support the players and the clubs, and it promotes contractual stability within the National League System. Standard-form contracts are also mandated by the Premier League and the EFL, and are used by clubs and players participating in their leagues.
Q: Why has The FA decided to change it for the start of the 2023/24 season?
AA: We wanted to update the standard-form Non-League Player Contract ahead of the 2023/24 season, in order to modernise the previous version, and make sure it better reflects current employment legislation. We also felt that an update would help to further balance the interests of both players and clubs at this level of the game.
Q: How does the Non-League Player Contract support all players across all Steps of the NLS, as a player at Step 1 will require different support to a player at, say, Step 4?
AA: The overall aim of the Non-League Player Contract is to ensure a consistent level of support and protection for players at every Step level of the National League System. However, we recognise that in certain areas a different level of support is necessary for players at Step 1, and the updated Non-League Contract looks to address that where appropriate.
Q: What were the specific issues with the Non-League Player Contract that were raised by the Step 1 captains’ group last month?
AA: When we were looking to review and update the contract, it was important to us that we had a period of consultation with our stakeholders at that level of the game. This began last year and was an important part of the process. In recent weeks, we have been engaging with the Step 1 captains’ group, led by Yeovil Town’s Josh Staunton, to help find solutions to some of the concerns they had, which were primarily based around the wording in the contract that was related to sick pay, long-term injury, and details about medical assessments. We appreciated and understood their concerns, and I personally enjoyed working with Josh and his peers to help find a solution that would benefit everyone.
Q: How did The FA resolve those issues?
AA: It was a really collaborative process that involved discussions with the PFA, the Step 1 captains’ group and NLS representatives. We were able to address a number of their concerns and find resolutions which we hope work for everyone. They include:
- The default position on sick pay for Playing Injuries will be that the player receives their full pay of their contract, subject to the parties agreeing an alternative arrangement, which must meet a minimum level of support
- The provisions relating to Long-Term Injury will be replaced by the provisions relating to Permanent Incapacity, which was set out in the previous version of the contract, and The FA will continue with further consultation around this specific area of the new contract
- References to club-instructed medical professionals will be replaced with references to independent medical examinations
Q: Are the Step 1 captains’ group now happy with the amended version of the new Non-League Player Contract?
AA: We see these as very positive updates to the standard-form Non-League Player Contract for next season. The Step 1 captains’ group, via Josh, has indicated to us that they’re supportive of the proposed changes. We were happy to address the specific concerns that they raised and appreciated their openness and their positive approach to those discussions.
Q: Are there any unresolved issues between The FA and the Step 1 captains’ group?
AA: It’s important to us that dialogue remains open between all parties. We have always had well-established communications with the leagues and the clubs on matters such as this, but engaging directly with Josh and the Step 1 captains’ group has been really beneficial for everyone. We’ve already agreed to further engagement and conversations about both permanent incapacity and long-term injury element of the contract, and we have a good foundation to build on.
Q: What are the next steps to get this new version approved? Does it need to go to The FA Board or any other committees?
AA: I’m pleased to say that the new version of the contract, with the amendments, has now been approved by the FA Board, and will be ready for clubs and players to use for contracts effective from the 2023/24 season onwards.
