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Post by unknownquantity on Mar 27, 2020 18:18:57 GMT
Some people have come to the conclusion that yesterday's statement implies that the National League season has been declared void, but looking at the relevant part of the statement below I did not interpret it that way at all. I could not find anything on our official website or on the websites of our clubs. I would have thought that if it was declared over then some of the teams challenging for promotion would have made their feelings as clear as South Shields have done.
As a result, The FA and NLS Steps 3 to 6 have reached a consensus that their 2019/20 season will now be brought to an end, and all results will be expunged. This will mean no promotion or relegation of clubs between NLS Steps 3 to 6, and no promotion to NLS Step 2.
These decisions will also apply to the Leagues and clubs who play at NLS Step 7.
The National League [NLS Steps 1 and 2] have agreed that they want to attempt to complete the competition in line with the Premier League, EFL and Barclays FA Women’s Super League and Emirates FA Cup and are therefore seeking permission from The FA that the season for this level will be extended beyond 1 June 2020 indefinitely
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Post by tenacres on Mar 27, 2020 20:42:30 GMT
Have you got a link to the statement that was issued yesterday? I can't seem to find anything on the national league site. I've seen a piece on the BBC www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52039174which refers to "a statement issued to all member clubs and released by fifth-placed Boreham Wood" (https://www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk/uncategorized/league-statement/) which sounds quite bizarre to me. Anyway the situation does seem to be a bit unclear. AFAIK the current status is that the league has been suspended till April 3rd, now its virtually inconceivable that the football will restart then, but IMO its not neccessary to close the season yet and say no more national league games are to be played. Its a fluid and complex situation. I would think that if and when the national league is announced as "closing the season" that needs to go hand it hand with how final positions & promotion and relegation issues are to be decided or whether the season is to be voided.
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Post by unknownquantity on Mar 27, 2020 21:30:38 GMT
This is the full Southern League statement that was made yesterday. I think it is clear that the season is definitely over for the teams not in the National League. I did interpret it as saying that the National League has not been called off, but I do not think everyone else has come to that conclusion.
I do think that league tables cannot be totally ignored. As all divisions at Non League step 2 and above are likely to run with a full complement of teams. With Bury's demise there is likely to be one new club entering step 2. What determines who fills the vacancy and there is also the AGM cup and the fact that the loss of revenue in recent weeks may hit some clubs hard.
League Statement 24th March - Season 2019/20
The Alliance Leagues held the latest of several conference calls last night (Monday) after our own board, and those of the Isthmian and Northern Premier Leagues, met over the weekend to determine how we wish to proceed. We have also participated in calls with the Step 5/6 clubs.
End of season
The Step 3 & 4 Leagues share clubs’ frustration that it is taking so long to determine whether the 2019/20 season is to end now, and if so on what basis. To maintain the integrity of our competitions, we ideally need to apply one solution across all of the National League System. However, this may not be possible.
The Southern, Isthmian and Northern Premier Leagues are unanimous in wanting to terminate the 2019-20 season immediately.
Whether that is done on the basis of determining final placings via average points per game, or the season is declared null & void cannot be decided until the National League decides how it wishes to proceed.
Right now, the National League’s position is that they wish to be able to resume the 2019-20 season at some point. The feeder Leagues do not support this because our clubs do not have the financial resources to continue to honour player contracts indefinitely.
The Southern, Isthmian and Northern Premier Leagues have therefore implemented the process to terminate the season. This has to be ratified by FA council, so there may be a short delay as the relevant documentation is submitted, distributed and approved. Therefore, the League's desire is not the confirmed outcome.
Whilst this process is on-going, and once the National League has finalised how it wishes to proceed, competition issues can then be decided, together with the implications for promotion and relegation.
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Post by boyatthood on Mar 28, 2020 8:04:32 GMT
This is really hard on clubs at this level and no doubt some will appeal. Our nearest neighbours AFC Stoneham sit second in their league,a terrific achievement for a first season in the Sydenhams Premier. They play some great football and now its come to nothing. Very tough but perhaps an unfortunate reality for all football eventually.
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Post by eastleighexile on Mar 28, 2020 13:10:19 GMT
The genie is out of the bottle, and stupidly opened by the FA! How do you say to some non-league clubs: the season is over for you, and not others? You're in effect creating a them-and-us scenario, and the likelihood of clubs legally challenging the decision: Jersey Bulls and South Shields immediately come to mind, follow like day follows night. I'm beginning to wonder from what orifice the FA are thinking.
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Post by unknownquantity on Mar 28, 2020 17:03:03 GMT
There is no perfect solution to this and if you do allow promotion and relegation based on the league positions at the time play finished then obviously you will please the promoted teams, but equally aggrieve the relegated teams.
I did think that one possibility might be to reduce the number of relegations from the Premiership for one season and allow promotions and relegations from the other football league divisions in the normal way so that the Premier Division runs with more clubs for next season with parity restored for the following season, but even if that was considered it is really dependent on the football league season being completed,
I do though think that the league positions at the time of play finishing can be ignored. It is likely that Bury's demise will lead to a vacancy being created at level 2. What determines who fills it? Of the four level 3 leagues in terms of points per game it is very close between Truro, South Shields, Tamworth and Roystion. I expect there will also be natural wastage which also create vacancies with some clubs unable to play at their current level for financial reasons.
Virtually all clubs at levels 3 to 6 have players who are part time with many of them in jobs or businesses that have suffered a lot during this pandemic so it will be understandable if more of these players are unavailable due to work commitments than previously and I personally think their situation is different to that of full time players.
With respect to Jersey Bulls assuming that natural wastage or any other decision made present a promotion opportunity for them could the Cherry Red Counties League instead of operating a 21 team Premier Division and a 20 team Division 1 operate with a 22 team Premier Division and 19 team Division 1 restoring things back to the original situation the following year if necessary.
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Post by bomber on Mar 29, 2020 4:04:29 GMT
I read that it's over and I hope it is. It's far too dangerous to continue and in the next few weeks it'll only get worse. A lot of people are dying and a hell of a lot more will die yet. Scrap the season.. void it..forget it ever happened and go again in August.
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Post by goderz3 on Mar 29, 2020 9:28:21 GMT
I think you're right on that, you can never put human life as a lower priority NEVER and can someone tell me the difference between 22 players of stoneham fc playing and the premier league playing behind closed doors, which is being discussed. Greed that's what it's about.
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Post by nobadspitfire on Mar 29, 2020 9:37:47 GMT
Whilst I feel for the likes of Jersey Bulls & South Shields, for once I agree with Bomber. With no promotion in the Leagues below the NLS/N, where are the bottom 2/3/4 in those 2 divisions going to go? The pandemic will get worse before it gets better, so it could be July before there's any real freedom for us to move around within the UK. Forget any foreign holiday you have planned this summer. A lot depends on what the EFL decide including their promotion/relegation issues, but if they relegate, say Stevenage who couldn't really complain, the let Barrow go up, but leave it at that. There's a lot going on atm that's far more important than football, so leave the season as it was, cancel it and plan to start again in August or as soon as possible after that. Let's face it, if there was real leadership from the F.A. we might be clearer and whatever they or any League organisation decide it will not please everyone, but if a Tory government can do a complete U turn on spending plans, then how important is it that the 19/20 season is played out to a conclusion? Not at all, IMHO.
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Post by eastleighexile on Mar 29, 2020 11:58:00 GMT
If you let one chink in the armour show, and the chink is relegating Stevenage and promoting Barrow, the entire suit is rendered useless. Everyone will want the same due process, and that opens a minefield. I'm beginning to think it's a void for everyone or the season is played out - and no halfway measures. In truth, it surely has to be the former.
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Post by unknownquantity on Mar 29, 2020 14:28:49 GMT
The non-league paper has today interpreted the F A statement that I have copied and pasted on here in the same way as I have that the decision taken only applies to levels 3 and below of the non-league pyramid, although when they are going to provide further updates is unclear. Many level 3 and 4 clubs have indicated on the front of their website that their season is over with their comments on the decision, but a lot of National League websites including our own have not commented on the F A statement as it seems their season is not declared over.
I think that relegating Stevenage and promoting Barrow would create a dangerous precedent, nut as I have said earlier what determines who fills the likely vacancy at step 2 as a result of Bury's demise and what criterion do you have for filling any vacancy arising if a team no longer is able to play its' current level.
I have already stated that I think that the situation with part time clubs is different to full time clubs. I maintain contact with one step 4 club and one step 6 club. The step 6n club had an away midweek cup game earlier in the season that was postponed due to worsening weather conditions. The match was played the following midweek, but the away team fielded a weakened team as there were players who had committed themselves to leaving work early the previous week, but could not ask their employer for the same favour a second week running and there are other examples I could provide, but I hope people can appreciate that most part time clubs do not have the resources of full time clubs.
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Post by spitfiresteve on Mar 29, 2020 16:30:27 GMT
Following Barnet another club in difficulty is Dover. fanbanter.co.uk/dover-athletic-admit-they-have-run-out-of-money/Really hope we are ok as a club. Would happily purchase next season's season ticket now if it would help our cashflow. I think which league teams are in next season will be decided by which clubs go bust/ have to drop down.
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Post by thelake on Mar 29, 2020 22:10:54 GMT
Can’t agree with voiding the season. Get it played even if isn’t for months. Worst ways make games shorter. Not fair on the fans or the players to cancel a season like his. Remember these lads are professional as well. Football is not a hobby at this level. Really think voiding the season should be a last resort to be considered if all else fails, don’t need to think about it for 3 months or so
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Post by spitfiresteve on Mar 31, 2020 17:23:47 GMT
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Post by eastleighexile on Mar 31, 2020 17:46:08 GMT
And there you have it from Spitfire Steve (above). "The National League is currently obtaining specialist legal advice, is consulting regularly with the Football Association and other stakeholders, and is committed to involving its member clubs in a pending decision on how best to conclude the 2019-20 season," a statement said. Note the words: 'legal advice'. I think we can read into that voiding all results, but making sure the decision doesn't come back to bite us. You wouldn't need legal advice to restart the season in the near future.
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