[Devongone]

And if it happens Matt then that fckus up our finances because our loaned out players will be at clubs whose season has ended ..... and our manager clearly still does want to bring players in, although surely we have enough midfielders now (it's beginning to remind me of Arthur Cox's days).

It will be unpopular with teams doing well, but it might be approved by some of our teams who do not want to be relegated. Surely you couldn't promote from divisions which have played fewer than half of their fixtures.

There are two matches tonight.

[spireitematt]

Majority of National League North want to call the season off. National League South teams are rather split and the National League haven't had many responses to where they stand publically. Chesterfield have come out publically and said they are in favour of the season continuing. National League need 12 votes to continue and National League North/South need 22.

[Devongone]

The trouble is that there isn't really a good option available.

I think we desperately need sport. You can't just watch Flog It and Grand Designs all the time can you? But we also urgently need to be able participate in sport and in life. We can't just sit here growing hobbit-feet can we? At some point someone has to chance leaving the Shire.

I've watched more telly football in the last few months than for years, but cripes I looked forward to the Copa Libertadores on Saturday because I love to watch Brazilians play and it was the worst game I've seen since watching Chesterfield and Doncaster play a 0-0 draw without anybody having a shot forty odd years ago. It had everything wrong with it. Kaio Jorge looked as though he might be a player if you could find him a game of football, Verissimo looked a top centre back and if you want a midfield destroyer sign Alison, he makes John Craggs look like a ball player. But these guys were supposed to be Brazilian. They were the football equivalent of anti-matter.

[Devongone]

By the way the Furlough is a disgrace.

I guess the Revenue will get us for doing something illegal.

It is a misuse of taxpayers' money. The CEO should be ashamed of himself and resign for sanctioning it.

[Dancingwilldoit]

Dont agree Dev.
If we have arranged player loans to clubs in lower divisions and their league is then suspended then surely those players can be furloughed. I know it might not be in the true spirit of things but it must be legal, its loss of income. According to the PFA other clubs are doing it but we are the only ones to go public.

[Devongone]

And we've signed another player. Adil Yussef, cancelling his loan to Wrexham and coming ON LOAN to us so we can Furlough players at taxpayer's expense. The Furlough scheme is definitely not intended for firms to furlough one workforce in order to bring in a new one they fancy more.

Mind you if every firm brings in 13 more people and furloughs a few it will be bring down the unemployment figures.

Even DA and AC would have thought twice before being involved in such a scam. No wonder we got called Cheaterfield.

[Dancingwilldoit]

So you would rather us play the same players we started the season with and not have signed anybody because they are our players? If players agree to go out and sign a loan deal and that loan is then terminated because of covid then in my book it qualifies for furlough. Its a matter of opinion and I'm comfortable with it.

[Devongone]

I've been as thrilled as anyone by our signings and our progress under a new manager, who I liked the sound of, before most people seemed to know who he was. But, like you, I was worried how we could afford to bring in these players even on non-league wage rates.

Now I know - sharp and probably illegal practice.

Lots of companies are going to be forced to repay wrongly-claimed furlough money.

There was lots of warning that National North and South were on the road to suspending fixtures before it happened. We continued recruitment we clearly couldn't afford. The decision has yet to be made whether the season is ending for them. If they continue, they will have so many games to play they will need our suspended players. And our latest signing came after our furloughing, how can that sit happily with you or anyone, much as we need him on the pitch?

They say cheats never prosper, but Putin's done okay.

[Dancingwilldoit]

Just a matter of interest, lifted this off another site re furlough

58 of the EFL’s 72 clubs claimed back money from the CJRS during the final weeks of 2020.
Government figures have revealed the identities of 740,000 companies to have used CJRS during December and among them are the majority of EFL clubs.

All of Championship’s 24 clubs barring Bournemouth, Coventry City, Reading, Stoke City, Swansea City and Watford were listed, along with 20 of 24 clubs from both Leagues One and Two.

[Devongone]

I have no objection to clubs applying for and getting the money if they are laying players and/or staff off.

My objection is to side-lining one set of players at taxpayer's expense so you can bring in different players you fancy more. Those furloughed lose at least 20% of their income, so those brought in are essentially scab labour.

Only a "union" like the PFA with the rich, lame lickspittle Gordon Taylor still in charge would stand by and let such a thing happen.

We should all learn at school that saying, "Please sir, Johnny Smith did it as well," doesn't go down well in the Headmaster's study.