By John Lyons
THE National League have unveiled ambitious plans for the future as they bid to fight their corner in English football.
At their annual congress at Celtic Manor in Wales yesterday, clubs were informed about ‘Growing Our Game’, the league’s new four-year strategy from 2016 to 2020.
Among the key elements to come from it are the following targets:
- Increase annual attendances from 1.5m to 1.7m
- Increase commercial revenue by 50 per cent
- Increase live broadcast matches from 25 to 40 per season
- Increase social media following from 750,000 to 1.1m
- Increase community activity participation from 42,000 to 63,000
The National League also mention in their new blueprint an old chestnut as one of their aims – to gain a third promotion place into the Football League.
They also want to create a home grown player development plan, introduce minimum coaching qualifications for all managers of National League clubs and maintain the ability for National League clubs to loan players throughout the season.
The Football League themselves announced plans last month that would see them create an extra division, potentially snaffling eight National League clubs to do so.
Competition
That plan needs to be voted on by Football League clubs in a year’s time – and 90 per cent of them have to be in favour for the move to go through – but it’s a sign of the competition the National League faces in a changing world.
That’s why they need to be proactive in taking their competition forward now. National League chairman Brian Barwick is confident the plans put forward will help them do that.
“The National League has taken its first steps on a new journey by rebranding the competition,” he said. “It is now paramount that we face the challenges and opportunities of the future armed with an ambitious and defined plan.
“I ask that you join with me in supporting the strategy to grow our game.”
Barwick added that ‘anything is possible if we work together’ and said that it would not just involve the clubs. He stressed it would reach out to the league’s current partners and the fans themselves through a consultation survey.
Meanwhile, the league received a boost with the news that Vanarama have extended their existing title sponsorship deal. A 12-month rolling contract will see them continue for at least a fourth year up to June 2018.
Vanarama managing director Andy Alderson said: “The rebrand exercise taken by the National League 12 months ago has in part helped our own brand image grow in and outside our industry.
“Our profile and recognition has risen beyond our expectations. We look forward to continuing to work closely with everyone connected with the league and our early decision to extend to 2018 validates how partnerships can flourish if the mix is right.”
*See Sunday’s NLP for an exclusive interview with National League chief executive Michael Tattersall about the league’s new plans, and reaction from the clubs.
