Dear Mr. Ives and the Board of the National League,

We, the York City Supporters Trust, are writing to express our growing frustration over the frequent short-notice rescheduling of National League fixtures. This issue, which has impacted York City and many other clubs, demonstrates a worrying disregard for the lifeblood of non-league football: the fans. The recent examples of York’s games against Woking and Forest Green Rovers being moved highlight a larger issue that urgently needs addressing.

Short-Notice Fixture Changes: The Woking and Forest Green Examples

York City’s match against Woking, initially scheduled for October 5th, 2024, was moved to a 17:30 kick-off with less than three weeks’ notice. This decision left many supporters, who had already arranged travel, with no available options for public transport after the game. Fans who had invested time and money into following their team were faced with either having to cancel their plans or incur additional, unforeseen costs.

The same problem has arisen for the upcoming fixture against Forest Green Rovers, which was rescheduled to a 17:30 kick-off with only 28 days’ notice. For traveling supporters, the late kick-off means that train schedules do not align, forcing many to either make costly travel adjustments or forgo attending the match entirely.

The Impact on Fans and Clubs

Non-league football is built on the passion and dedication of its fans, many of whom travel significant distances to support their teams. Unlike the Premier League, where television revenue is a dominant financial driver, National League clubs rely heavily on gate receipts to stay afloat. When matches are moved with little notice, it becomes harder for fans to attend, leading to lower stadium attendances and a direct financial hit to the clubs themselves. This is especially concerning for clubs already under significant financial pressure, where each match-day can be critical to their survival.

We do not blame clubs for accepting these rearrangements, as the promise of television revenue is understandably appealing. Club’s should not be in the position to choose between fiscal responsibility and loyal supporters. However, we believe the National League must take greater responsibility for balancing the interests of both the broadcasters and the supporters who keep these clubs alive.

Geographic Disparities in Fixture Selection

A further issue that we take with this season’s scheduling decisions is the geographic disparity in the games chosen for broadcast. So far this season, 15 games have been selected for broadcast by DAZN. Of these, 13 have been hosted by southern clubs, and until Rochdale’s match this weekend, not a single northern club has hosted a live broadcast. This disproportionate focus on southern teams not only alienates northern clubs and their fans, but it also reinforces the perception that the National League is out of touch with the broader non-league football community.

A Call for a Minimum Notice Period

We propose that the National League introduce a five-week minimum notice period for fixture changes, aligning with the practices of the EFL and Premier League. A minimum notice period will give fans the confidence to book travel and accommodation without fear of last-minute changes disrupting their plans. This certainty will also benefit hosting clubs, as it encourages greater attendance and helps ensure steady revenue from match-day ticket sales and associated spending. With clubs relying heavily on gate receipts, providing this security to both supporters and clubs is essential to maintaining a healthy and sustainable league.

A Call to Action: Launch of a Change.org Petition

In order to push for this much-needed change, we have launched a Change.org petition, calling for the National League to implement a minimum notice period of five weeks for fixture changes. We encourage all fans to sign and support this effort here.

For York City fans, we also urge you to consider becoming a member of the York City Supporters Trust. Membership strengthens our voice and helps us advocate more effectively on behalf of our community. You can sign up here.

Join Us: A Call for Support from National League Fans

We urge all National League supporters’ groups to join us in this campaign for fairness and respect for fans. If you would like to get involved or support this initiative, please contact us at info@ycst.org.uk. Together, we can ensure that the National League listens to its fans and implements policies that respect both the supporters and the clubs they love.

Yours sincerely,

The York City Supporters Trust