National League captains write to FA demanding talks over ‘disgraceful’ contract changes
National League players are 'shocked and frustrated' by changes made by the Football Association to contracts for next season and are seeking urgent talks to find a resolution.
The FA are imposing new conditions on non-league players' contracts from July 1, which will allow clubs to cut short deals because of illness or injury.
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Under the new terms, injured players in the National League will only be paid in full for 12 weeks.
Clubs will then be able to reduce their wages to statutory sick pay - £99.35 a week and payable for 28 weeks - until they are fit.
For those playing below the fifth tier of the English pyramid, they will get their full wage for only six weeks if they are injured before statutory pay comes in.
Pay cuts will automatically apply unless the individual clubs decide otherwise with players having to opt-in when signing deals.
Players also face having their contract terminated, with three months' notice, if a club-instructed medic feels they are unable to play for four months. It means those with long-term injuries like Achilles ruptures or ACL tears could be released.
A letter, signed by all 24 captains of National League clubs, has now been sent to the FA's CEO, Mark Bullingham, and the National League's General Manager, Mark Ives.
In it, players have expressed surprise at being informed of the changes by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) instead of the FA or League chiefs, and are seeking urgent talks.
Oldham's Peter Clarke, who is on the PFA players' board, said earlier this week that players could go on strike over the matter.
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The letter from the National League captains read: “As a collective we are writing to you on behalf of all National League players who are shocked and frustrated at the significant changes which are being proposed to the standard non-league contract.
"If implemented, these changes will have a serious and negative impact on the rights of players, particularly those who suffer injuries and illness.
"22 of the 24 teams currently competing in the National League are fully professional. Football to us is more than just a game. It is our livelihood and the sole mechanism for financially supporting our families.
"Our clubs expect us to put our bodies on the line each week. That, naturally, brings with it the constant and serious risk of injury and mental health pressures. The apparent decision to allow clubs to easily dispose of players who pick up injuries or suffer illness is unacceptable."
It continued: "We understand and support the need to create a sustainable financial structure within the football pyramid.
"However, we fundamentally disagree that this should involve eroding the duty of care a club owes its players.
"What is most concerning is that the very people who are put at physical and financial risk by this proposed move the players themselves - have been locked out of the decision-making process. This is completely unacceptable.
"These changes give clubs the option of terminating a player’s contract or reducing their income to statutory sick pay in the event of an injury or illness. This makes an already unstable job even more unstable, to the point where for many it will be untenable. These changes put players under significant stress, knowing that we are always at risk from losing our income and being unable to work.
"We are seeking urgent talks with The FA and the National League to clarify the situation and provide an acceptable resolution."
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An FA Spokesperson responded, saying: "We have updated the standard form Non-League contract following a period of consultation with the relevant stakeholders in the game.
"It has been introduced in order to better reflect current employment legislation, and to help balance the interests of both clubs and players. Under the new contract, it remains the case that clubs and players can agree for the player to receive the full basic wage during the period of any injury.
"We have now also introduced a minimum amount of time during which the player must be paid his full basic wage if they are sick or injured, which is dependent on the step of the National League System in which the club plays.
"This change establishes a new layer of protection for players when compared to the previous version of the contract."
The PFA does not represent National League players but the vast majority are former members having played in the EFL.
They have been offering advice and support to players, who have held numerous discussions this week, and has told the FA it cannot support the measures.
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James King, the PFA's general counsel, said of the changes: "It's really concerning. You would think employment terms and conditions should be improving over time as a society develops. So to see something go backwards is a very unusual step. We had hoped for an improved position in the contract, not worse.
"We feel like there's a misunderstanding of the position a significant number of these guys are in and the fact this is their livelihood, their mortgages are at stake. They're their family's support in a really challenging economic time.
"We hope the FA will listen to the players' views and think again. Just to hammer the point home we had warned the FA we would have to inform the players of the changes and we didn't think it would be happily accepted.
"To have their rights diminished in this way has struck a nerve."
talkSPORT host Jamie O’Hara, who played and managed Billericay Town, reacted to the news: “Just read this and it’s a disgrace.
“@PFA need to take action and protect players in the lower leagues, seen too many players get treated like dog sh** at that level.
“You sign a contract you should honour it regardless of injury, it’s professional league full time @TheVanaramaNL.”
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Swindon striker Charlie Austin also expressed his fury: "This is a joke surely! Who has come up with the idea sat around a table and thought you know what how does this sound.. all agree yep let’s do it!! Seriously it’s an actual embarrassment! To all the players who play in non league and this document applies to you then I’m sorry!!"
Macclesfield, who play in the eighth tier, have announced they will ensure their players take up the option to be paid their normal wage through a period of injury and will honour contracts even if they suffer serious illness or injury.
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