FA Announcment

[GlenSTFC]

Interesting development for those who haven’t seen it yet...

Draft resolution to the National League clubs will now be issued on Sunday. Number of amendments rejected by the Board today. However, no play offs at step 2 has been removed from the draft resolution.

[Reading Rebel]

I'll be amazed if it's happened but perhaps they've bowed to the pressure.

[GlenSTFC]

It’s probably more likely we’ll see 2nd place promoted but then at least the NL be forced to relegate all clubs.

Edited June 12, 2020 by GlenSTFC

[Martin]

Personally I think the right way to wind up this season up and down the leagues is to determine final league placing on a points per game basis and settle all promotion and relegation issues on that basis. 

A league season is determined by consistency. Yes occasionally teams have a good run of form at the right time to avoid relegation or grab a play off spot but by and large you collect the points in a relatively even distribution across the season and the consistently best team wins the league and the consistently worst goes down.

The idea of plays off games with no fans is horrible. Imagine knowing your team was about to play its biggest game for 22 years and not being able to be there. Football teams exist because of fans, they survive and endure because of fans. 

 

[Reading Rebel]

2 hours ago, GlenSTFC said:

Interesting development for those who haven’t seen it yet...

Draft resolution to the National League clubs will now be issued on Sunday. Number of amendments rejected by the Board today. However, no play offs at step 2 has been removed from the draft resolution.

And decision day been put back to Tuesday.

[Curtis]

Could be a very close vote.

Those definitely in favour will be the top seven in the NL & the two that avoid relegation from the NL.

Those definitely against should be the National North & South (is that 4 votes in total or 4 per division making 8?), and Chorley on principle.

The balance then lies with the 14 mid table NL clubs.

Will they give in to the threats of the NL Committee, or will the NL Committee offer compensation to the North & South clubs in play-off spots for costs incurred in anticipation of play-offs go gain the votes of the North & South divisions?

 

[Holyport Rebel]

Just listened to an interview given by Dorking's manager Marc White about all the National League's double standards on the play offs issue  which I found on Bakes' twitter page. It's so interesting hearing what people of the level of Neil and Marc think about what's going on. Very revealing.

[Holyport Rebel]

Sorry Reading Rebel!

I didn't see your post earlier highlighting Marc White's interview, although I saw it on Bakes' twitter page.

 

[Martin]

I get that the National League are being a bit of a shambles and the definition of elite sport is unclear and should/could include step 2 but what is the rationale behind trying to have the play offs? 

[Reading Rebel]

4 minutes ago, Martin said:

I get that the National League are being a bit of a shambles and the definition of elite sport is unclear and should/could include step 2 but what is the rationale behind trying to have the play offs? 

I suppose it's because it's the way the season is supposed to end and the fairest way. 

[Martin]

Hmmm. I don't think the play offs are fair. They are entertaining and a bit of a lottery. They keep the season open and interesting for a longer period of time and for more clubs. 

But no games are being played and no one is being entertained. 

If you want promotion and relegation - two up and four down based on PPG

[Reading Rebel]

5 minutes ago, Martin said:

Hmmm. I don't think the play offs are fair. They are entertaining and a bit of a lottery. They keep the season open and interesting for a longer period of time and for more clubs. 

But no games are being played and no one is being entertained. 

If you want promotion and relegation - two up and four down based on PPG

I mean fair as in under the current rules.

Edited June 13, 2020 by Reading Rebel

[GlenSTFC]

Problem with the current ‘promote 2’ campaign is its split with 2 clubs wanting 2nd place to be promoted and the others wanting the play offs to happen. Hopefully some officials are gathering info on exactly how much the cost may be otherwise all this campaigning could be in vain.

[Radders]

Personally Martin I have to disagree. When the season starts everyone knows it’s top up next 6 play off. If play offs can’t happen, then just 1 up as the other 6 all deserve a shot. As you say it’s a lottery, so surely a random draw of those 6 teams is fairer than just promoting second. Personally, I believe that the play offs can happen, as do, seemingly, the majority of managers and teams occupying those positions in the north and south. So let’s play them.

[GlenSTFC]

On Twitter Havant and York have unsurprisingly joined forces and now seem to be promoting their own agenda of promote 2nd place only as obviously they don’t want the lottery and cost of the play offs. 

[GlenSTFC]

Tosswell has given a rough calculation on Twitter that it may cost around £20k to play 3 rounds of matches which includes the private testing cost plus wages. That’s still a massive amount of money with no guarantee of promotion, aside from Havant and Dorking do they other 4 clubs have these resources or want to pay it?

[Radders]

By the comments from bakes/unders and the dorking manager it would appear clubs want to give it a go. The one outcome that should never happen is that york and Havant get a walkthrough in my opinion.

Edited June 13, 2020 by Radders

[GlenSTFC]

Completely agree Radders that those 2 clubs shouldn’t be allowed promotion unless they win it via the play offs. Not surprised but it’s very annoying to see these 2 team up on social media to progress their own agenda.

[GlenSTFC]

If true, a game changing development...

Massive news just received from our MP @AlanMakMP.
He will release a letter that he is sending to @TheVanaramaNL Chairman which clearly states there is no government advice that step 2 are not elite athletes.
Elite sport is someone who derives an income from sport

[Martin]

Yep I understand what your saying Radders, but this is not a normal season.

The prospect of games like these being played behind closed doors just seems wrong to me.