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Post by unknownquantity on Apr 2, 2020 22:12:14 GMT
I think that the aim might be to complete the league if practically possible, but realistically realising that it is possible that there could come a point in time when this longer the case and thus every possible eventuality needs to be prepared for including the legal side of things,
I see that some clubs at levels 3 to 6 have started a petition and it appears that has now over 100 signatures, although it is perhaps worth pointing out that there are well over 1000 clubs playing it this level without including the women's league teams who are amongst the signatures.
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Post by goderz3 on Apr 3, 2020 7:29:11 GMT
Do you think with all this uncertainty at the moment EFC will be planning for next season,bearing in mind we have so many players out of contract
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Post by eastleighexile on Apr 3, 2020 10:24:14 GMT
I think that the aim might be to complete the league if practically possible, but realistically realising that it is possible that there could come a point in time when this longer the case and thus every possible eventuality needs to be prepared for including the legal side of things, I see that some clubs at levels 3 to 6 have started a petition and it appears that has now over 100 signatures, although it is perhaps worth pointing out that there are well over 1000 clubs playing it this level without including the women's league teams who are amongst the signatures. Sorry to correct, but closer to 700. And not sure, about all steps. Was speaking to a club chairman at Step 5 - and he's not added his name. There will be others accepting it as it is. You can bet the 100 signatories come from Step 3. As said with regards to Bulls and South Shields, they have most to lose.
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Post by nobadspitfire on Apr 3, 2020 10:45:04 GMT
Do you think with all this uncertainty at the moment EFC will be planning for next season,bearing in mind we have so many players out of contract The club will always be planning for the next game, the next ten games, the play offs, for next season and so on. As regards players being out of contract, little can be done until those contracts expire (usually 30th June). Strevs will probably have a list of players he'd like to get for next season already.
But 19/20 season needs to be put to bed first. The NL, with all the member clubs' involvement, need to decide how practicable it is to complete 19/20, and the longer time goes on as we are, the less likely it is to be completed. Any relegation issues from the NLN & S are problematic at the moment because there is no promotion from Step 3. As time goes on, some form of promotion & relegation might be possible without games even being played, due to some clubs at whatever level "doing a Sholing" (taking a voluntary demotion/relegation) or restructuring or going out of business. Some people will be insistent that 19/20 is completed, but how can that be done in say the middle of June with an average of nine games to be played and contracts expiring at the end of that month? Extend those contracts? Yes, but not all players will want that. Players and playing surfaces are having a break at the moment, but is anyone going (to be allowed) away on holiday this year? There's also the thought that financially, some clubs will be on their knees whenever there is a restart, but at the same time one could take into account the revenue clubs will generate when things get back to normal. Because of promotion & relegation, a re-started season has to fit in with other leagues. Do we complete the season in the autumn of 2020 and start next season in say March 2021? Make it a summer game? If we re-start 19/20 in August, scrap the playoffs, & have a short break before 20/21 starts, then next season will likely run into June/July with the two seasons together taking getting on for 11 months? Player rest/recuperation? Scrap the FA Cup, FAT, League Cup etc for what's left of this season & for next! That would help.
There are so many options as to what will happen, but it all could be "lead" by the FA (doh!), the PL & EFL. Whatever happens depends on how long the game has to close down, simple as that. And when decisions are made, there is only one certain outcome. Some people and clubs will be very upset at the outcome. And others will be content.
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Post by goderz3 on Apr 4, 2020 7:20:43 GMT
Yeah some great points nobad. Another thing after this blows over is that you could well see a drop in attendance because there will still be people nervous about large gatherings, I hope this isn't the case and all of the football community's come together.
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Post by unknownquantity on Apr 4, 2020 8:57:55 GMT
I do not like to post inaccurate information on this forum, but having researched the matter further I have found the number of clubs at steps 3 to 6 is around 900 and not over 1000 as I originally stated. I had not realised how recent alterations to the non-league pyramid had altered certain things.
Looking at the clubs who were amongst those who were amongst the first 66 to sign the petition a reasonable number cam e from the North and Midlands and did not play at step 3.
I think it would have been better if when the F A had made the decision to terminate the season for teams step 3 or lower they had not also made a decision to expunge all results especially as many of them had already played 75% of their fixtures. I wondered whether a team not necessarily challenging for promotion, but having their best ever season would be particularly pleased at seeing it expunged from the record books.
As I said earlier it is likely that vacancies are likely to occur in divisions and it is difficult to see how the league tables at close of play having some bearing on how to fill these.
I think it is clear that at part time clubs more players are unable to play in matches due to work commitments, there are fewer resources available to keep the pitches in a playable state and I expect there are more groundshare arrangements in place.
One other point is that we have heard the possible legal arguments relating to the current situation. If a decision had been made to say finish the season in late spring or early summer would a team if they had the resources to do so be able to claim that the decision constructively relegates them or discriminates against them. If the majority of a team's player work in industries where the workload peaks outside the normal football season they would find hard to field a competitive team and I expect bringing in new players would be harder. Eastleigh used to play a team called Portsmouth Royal Navy who later became United Services Portsmouth and the success of that team very much depended on whether the ships were in at a particular point in time.
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Post by eastleighexile on Apr 4, 2020 11:17:25 GMT
The FA should have stayed their hand on ALL non-league. The division was bound to cause resentment, and frankly, I can't see a reason to call it so early. It may not be what they intended, but it's almost as if the FA was saying: 'step 3 downward? It doesn't matter'. Nobad's myriad options make it almost impossible to complete the season in good time unless it starts by the end of the May, and even then it will be touch and go. Voiding is the best decision in a bad bunch of choices.
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Post by tenacres on Apr 4, 2020 21:05:36 GMT
It is a tricky one. There is no good option, only a least bad option. IMO its too early to void it, but that may the "best" option further on down the line. Clearly we don't have much idea when football can restart, it could be 2 months away, it could be 8 months away. We also don't know what the rest of the football world is doing. If the EFL will complete (in say September) then we must be in sync with that or at least have some idea of a plan to resolve things? I'm glad it doens't really matter for us. In truth its been a bit of a forgettable season for us, so from a selfish point of view most EFC fans won't really be fussed about what happens. I suppose I feel it unfair on Barrow if their season is discounted when it looked likely it would end up in promotion. Interesting that in the latest PL statement mentions the National league twice www.premierleague.com/news/1651836"The sporting and financial implications for Premier League clubs as well as for The FA, EFL and National League were considered at today’s meeting." "Critically, the League unanimously voted to advance funds of £125 million to the EFL and National League as it is aware of the severe difficulties clubs throughout the football pyramid are suffering at this time." Hopefully this bodes well for Eastleigh & the national league. Another thing is the Hants Cup. Its 3 games away from being completed. Hard to see why this can't be finished, even if the games are effectively played as pre-season games. Its not right for 95% of a cup compeition to be completed and then the whole thing voided when it can easily be completed. Is it? Anyway lots of questions, but it might take some time to come up with the best answers to them all.
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Post by tenacres on Apr 4, 2020 21:07:38 GMT
One other thing I missed out was that if it was my decision (haha!) I'd probably do the same as whatever the PL and EFL decide, which I think is to complete the season, if at all possible.
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Post by unknownquantity on Apr 5, 2020 8:00:08 GMT
I have maybe already made enough posts on this thread, but even if people do not necessarily agree with my views I have at least seen around 1000 games at step 3 and below and around 500 games at step 1 and 2 and this has helped form my viewpoint on this matter.
The step 4 and step 6 clubs I keep in regular contact with both have had several wet weather postponements and I can fully understand that in a season where there has been so much uncertainty about whether matches are being played they do not want further uncertainty and might prefer to end the season now. However as I have already stated I do not see why a decision on whether clubs are promoted needs to be made now.
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Post by goderz3 on Apr 5, 2020 8:25:01 GMT
Some good points made by ten acres, especially the Hants cup being played as pre season. Regarding league steps below national,I think you might see that discussion over turned if the rest restart.let's hope that's the case.
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Post by eastleighexile on Apr 5, 2020 10:04:59 GMT
The only problem with overturning the decision to void Step 3 and beyond is regathering the players. A quick, and by no means comprehensive search, shows most clubs have released their playing staff. I suppose it could be done, but surely that would be an admin nightmare.
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Post by unknownquantity on Apr 5, 2020 14:38:26 GMT
I see from today's non-league paper that one club from the Midland League and two clubs from the Hellenic League have gone to the wall and I am sure there will be others in the weeks ahead, and I always thought that divisional vacancies would occur through natural wastage, and I do not think that any attempt to try and resume fixtures at that level will help matters, even if the decision to not allow any promotions was taken hastily.
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Post by spitfiresteve on Apr 5, 2020 15:59:48 GMT
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Post by eastleighexile on Apr 6, 2020 11:19:56 GMT
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