Gate Money: Inside Non-League Football's Funding Fiasco (Full Documentary)

In Gate Money, sports journalist Fred Atkins aims to find out why what should have been feel-good story turned into a tale of bitterness and abuse for clubs and fans of England's lower-level football divisions. A global pandemic, a 10 million pound lottery grant and 66 Non-League football clubs. What could possibly go wrong?

The 57-minute investigative documentary film is directed by Jasper Spanjaart (SPNJRT Media Productions) and presented by Fred Atkins. The film features interviews with former FA chairman David Bernstein, former Minister of Sport Tracey Crouch, football finance teacher and podcast host Kieran Maguire, BBC Non-League Show presenter Ollie Bayliss, and representatives from Chester FC, Dorking Wanderers, Dulwich Hamlet, Maidstone United and Tonbridge Angels.

Tags: Sports documentary, football documentary, Non-League Football, football finances, COVID-19, investigation, football, Non-League Noir, detective.

[YesTomCullen]

As a former director at one of the affected clubs during this period, I'd like to thank you for bringing this story to life. The NL board should be investigated for criminal charges.

[TheMattrj]

What a brilliant documentary this is. Excellent production and as a non league fan I can say honestly I am disgusted and angry at the National League for their underhand actions which could have seen many clubs go into financial crisis. I hope the filmmakers are rewarded with the reform that the league needs because it's a disgrace what has happened.

If you love football, especially non league football then you simply must watch this documentary

[richardski]

My club Darlington lost more than £70k out of this, may not sound like much in the grand scheme of football but for a fan run club like ours it’s a huge amount and has likely set the club back a few years, same for Chester FC and Maidstone United. I dread to think what it has done to those clubs who don’t get as much through the gate to begin with.

[richardhughes]

Fantastic documentary. They are crooks, all the power, but with no accountability. Hardly any different to the blatent corruption when handing out PPE contacts

[MarkQuinnk]

I wish this video had a million views. I hope it leads to justice for these criminals. On a lighter note this whole thing should be called Gategate.

[lewismitchell]

The Bernstein report needs to be published, it is shocking the incompetence of the NL board in 2020 and all those still on the board now should resign with immediate effect.

[chaz]

As a Wrexham fan, looking at the difference in what we recieved compared to what we should have recieved, Ryan and Rob saved this club more than we knew because with that much of a deficit while we were still fan run, we would have been put at massive risk of administration coming back to our club

[siavfc]

For a fan of a Premier League club, this is a real eye opener. I only usually get what the media choose to post on their sites and so I don't get or understand much of what's going on, I'm oblivious. These things need bringing out to everybody to see, unfortunately Sky couldn't give a f#*k even though they spout 'grassroots' football what do they actually do for non league? Sky, the FA, the government. All of them!

[lawrencefreeman]

Directed here by the Price Of Football podcast. This is an absolutely fantastic bit of work and I applaud everyone involved. I'm also appalled at the behaviour and arrogance of those that refused to be involved and it just smells of shenanigans at best and corruption at worst. I hope this all comes to light at some point, I really do, but I fear it won't.

[kdlofty]

Brilliant documentary, open (unlike the National League), honest, raw, and very eye opening. I never played in the National League i only played in what was the Unibond League, but i have several friends and ex team mates who played for one of the clubs focused on in this documentary. It was great to see what its like from the opposite side of a players view on things. More documentaries like this please. New subscriber.

[The_Boy_Gosling]

I think all NL clubs fans should unite on this and push for this to be taken further. As a bare minimum, anyone still on the board should be forced to resign immediately

[Welshtechie]

Excellent documentary but not at all surprised by the outcome. The National League board have made a number of high profile, bad decisions, seemingly suiting themselves or their sponsors with little regard for the wishes of the clubs or their fans. As you stated, the league is run in a fashion that is 40 years old, so I fear little will change.

[lesliemaynard]

Great insights of what occurred. Hopefully it gets investigated. The league then threatened clubs for not participating when they had no funding to cover playing costs during the pandemic. Some of these clubs got relegated and point deductions for not complying to bullying mandates.

[HerFatherDidntLikeMe]

Well done on a fascinating, well made, documentary. I've followed English football from Ireland for years. It's given me great pleasure. I can remember some of the National League clubs being in the "92".

It seems appalling to me how the lottery funding was split. It should have been divided along attendance lines. I also notice you made great effort to contact "the other side" in the interest of balance. As a general point, I think the upper levels of football could do with the integrity and passion of those featured in your film.

[richardsmith]

As a Notts County fan I'm just happy we have owners who have obviously helped the club through this. But the self interest of a few worries me, but what worries me more is the lack of accountability for their decision to ignore the way the funds were supposed to be divided.

[markh]

Brilliant documentary and some serious questions for the National League Board, but agree that there is always two sides to most stories. The David Bernstein independent report needs to be published. You would expect that the National League Board would want the opportunity to respond and explain the rationale behind the distribution of the money, and if not, then a public enquiry needs to be commissioned and individuals held to account.

[stevendavis]

Brilliant programme well made National League board should be charged, justice required here let’s not let it go away

[footballhipster]

As a follower of English non-League football from Turkey, I can say that I have found this documentary very informative. It just shows how "the beautiful game" is becoming more and more "the game of the rich". It also tells us that there are two layers to football at non-League level; the pure, proper and charming side of it on the pitch, and the cruel, ruthless and unforgiving side of it behind the scenes. Whilst Barwick resigning is a good riddance, Pearce replacing him sounds a bit shady in my opinion. Not a single person from the board of National League accepting to take part in an interview indicates that they are cowards and "they look after their own pockets", to quote a certain Labour MP.

[yoyotommo]

Absolutely fantastic doco guys. Hope it gets all the attention it deserves.

[Duellingbanjos]

They have got away with it and are still hiding under the blanket. Untouchable.