It is often said that desperate times call for desperate measures.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen football at all levels grind to a shuddering halt, many clubs, including Exeter City and Torquay United, have furloughed their players and staff in recent weeks under the Government's Job Retention Scheme, which has seen them take a 20% pay cut.
A number of Premier League clubs have also followed suit and have furloughed their non-playing staff, which has attracted some criticism in certain quarters. This was followed by the announcement that several Premier League players have
launched a "collective initiative" to help generate funds for the
NHS and distribute them "where they are needed
most". The initiative - named #PlayersTogether - has been set up
to "help those fighting for us on the NHS frontline" amid the
coronavirus pandemic.
Clubs in the National League, National League North and South are currently being asked whether to end the schedule of the current season until April 25th, which means it might still be possible to complete the end of season play-offs. This comes after the FA Council ratified the decision to end of all football at non-league steps three to seven.
However, once football resumes players at all levels will need to regain the necessary fitness levels to continue playing and will require some form of pre-season programme. Also with the current coronavirus pandemic meaning that the demand for flights have fallen, so it might be time for many top clubs to go back to the future and play pre-season friendlies - whenever that may be - against non-league sides instead of jetting off on overseas tours.
It could be organised as a random draw which would see all 20 clubs in Premier League, plus Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion - and possibly even Celtic and Rangers could be invited to join in, drawn away to the 24 clubs in the National League. You could then do the same for the clubs in National Leagues North and South and the host club could keep the gate money, which would help to ease the burden that the coronavirus has placed on club's finances. Also, as a goodwill gesture NHS staff and other key workers could be able to attend at discounted prices.
The plan could also be extended to the remaining 22 clubs in the Championship, whereby they are drawn away to clubs in the Isthmian Premier, the Southern League Premier Central the Southern League Premier South and the Northern League Premier. It may not have the same appeal of facing a Premier League side but the possibility of Wayne Rooney's Derby County turning up at say Leatherhead or Tiverton Town or Rushall Olympic or Whitby Town will surely attract a certain level of excitement in their respective areas.
As well as giving non-league fans to chance to see players that they would normally only see on Match of the Day or on the EFL highlights on Quest, it has the potential to reconnect the top level of the game in this country with the grassroots which some argue has been eroded slightly in the modern era.
