Chris Clapham Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Just wondering what people's thoughts are regarding next season. Assuming the constitution remains the same as last season. I guess the 2 main questions are when it might start and what will happen re FA Cup and FA Vase for lower non league clubs? https://fanbanter.co.uk/non-league-minnows-could-be-excluded-from-the-fa-cup-if-next-season-is-delayed/?fbclid=IwAR0MyLSbhXQONMqTy9z21mJgGZ3DLEyduucO4_PIn-4-LA9epT6_-LjzKKg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big J R Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 It all seems to be in the hands of 'The Powers That Be', Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoleseyMan Posted June 11, 2020 Share Posted June 11, 2020 I guess the Vase can start whenever lower level football starts. Fitting the FA Cup rounds in could be trickier depending on when we start I presume. I guess they could concertina dates a bit if they do away with replays in all rounds of FA Competitions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Clapham Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 SUMMARY OF FA MEETING TODAY WITH STEP 5 & 6 LEAGUES: Firstly the FA produced a series of slides for their presentation which they have said will be emailed out later today. The meeting obviously went into more details than the slides and each league was able to ask a question. Summarising the main points: THIS SUMMER Even if a league at a higher step has a vacancy caused by a club folding or requesting voluntary relegation, NO Promotion will occur and that league will run short. The FA will look at applications to enter the pyramid to fill a vacancy (AFC Bury and Isle of Mann were only ones mentioned). FUNDING The FA National Game have had a 38% cut in funding. This will impact all NLS leagues who will no longer receive FA Development funding, but they will still receive Administration grants at current level. FA Vase prize money will be reduced by approx 6% COMPETITIONS It is the FA’s ambition still to run the FA Cup & FA Vase in full, BUT that may not be possible and certainly with the FA Cup they are contractually bound to have the FA Cup 3rd Rd on the opening weekend of January, so the dates and numbers of earlier rounds may be affected by that. The non-league final day at Wembley is subject to the FA calendar given that Euro 2020 matches now have to fit into 2021. Consideration is being given to do away with Replays in both Cup & Vase to aid fitting in league fixtures. If the season does not start in August then League and County Cups cannot be run in the traditional formats during the league playing season, but possible that new ways could be found to run Cups. RESTARTING NLS FOOTBALL The FA stated that NLS will only re-start when the Dept of Media, Culture & Sport (DCMS) gives approval AND subject to any conditions that the DCMS makes. Games cannot re-start at Steps 1 to 7 of the NLS without spectators, AND ALL STEPS ARE TIED TOGETHER on a restart date (eg Step 6 cannot start whilst Step 3 is not allowed and vice versa) Football BELOW Step 7 where no admission is taken may start on a different date and is subject to specific “grass-roots” Govt guidance. The FA are working on various scenarios as to when and how it affects the programme of games, this was explained as: August – A normal season September/October – Full League seasons to be priority with NO League or County Cups November/January – Not possible for a full league season to be played and in this situation either half seasons (play each other once) or splitting divisions in half (probably on geographics) so that in our case we have 4 divisions of 10 rather than 2 of 20 Later than January – Worse case scenario with re-structure and leagues maybe held over again until 2021/22 season. Whilst NOT a commitment or guarantee by any means, the FA said the most likely current scenario would be September. Pre-Season – The FA stated a pre-season would occur before commencement of matches, but they were not prepared to say what duration in weeks that timeframe would be. End of season – Flexibility to go into May rather than the last weekend of April, but again this would really depend on the starting date of the season. Possible agreement prior to restarting so that if a 2nd spike forced another curtailment of next season, that the leagues could be awarded based on the percentage of games actually played at that time – details to follow. CLUBS The FA will require ALL CLUBS to produce and publish a Risk assessment and/or action plans to ensure they are Covid secure. This is specifically for clubs that are neither “elite” nor “grassroots” and will cover such things as: Return to full training / matches Use of facilities including clubhouses, dressing rooms etc Travel The volunteer workforce at each club The FA are currently writing a guidance paper on this and it will follow to clubs in the near future. Ground Grading: The FA have built into the temporary changes to regulations some flexibility regarding ground grading dates, whilst no specific date or rule has been changed, the FA stated that it is “Not the intention to relegate any clubs for work that Covid has meant they have been unable to do.” Next FA Leagues meeting on July 14th . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savagebee Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 3 hours ago, Chris Clapham said: Whilst NOT a commitment or guarantee by any means, the FA said the most likely current scenario would be September. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoleseyMan Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Is there any point non-league football starting without spectators allowed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Southall Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 If leagues start in September, there is no reason why FA Cup and FA Vase cannot be played at the normal times. In regard to County Cups, why not play them as a pre-season tournament. This could be late July/early August. This will help teams get match fit for the FA Cup and start of the league season. Certainly, in Middlesex, the Senior Cup and Senior Charity Cup for 2019/20 were halted at the quarter final stage. These could be completed also as a pre-season event. Possibly at one or two grounds rather that as a home/away match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoleseyMan Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Given the prize money at stake (even for the losers), would clubs be happy to play FA Cup games behind closed doors, while waiting for approval for spectators before league games start? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savagebee Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 On 22/06/2020 at 11:26, MoleseyMan said: Is there any point non-league football starting without spectators allowed? What about at Step 7 and below where there's hardly any spectators if any at the games? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoleseyMan Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 4 hours ago, Savagebee said: What about at Step 7 and below where there's hardly any spectators if any at the games? I was more referring to those levels (1-6) where matchday income is needed to cover costs. I suspect Step 7 and below, where players pay to play, and 3 men and a dog watch, could be the first football to restart outside of the pro game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savagebee Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 2 hours ago, MoleseyMan said: I suspect Step 7 and below, where players pay to play, and 3 men and a dog watch, could be the first football to restart outside of the pro game. That's what I'm hoping ? also you have all the levels below that as well and Sunday League footy if people are really desperate for a footy fix ? Agree that Steps 1 to 6 can't be played behind closed doors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Clapham Posted June 24, 2020 Author Share Posted June 24, 2020 At this moment in time, most of the issues that affect steps 1 to 6 will affect 7 and below ie changing facilities. Unless there is a 2nd spike, I see no reason why all football could not resume in September. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big J R Posted June 25, 2020 Share Posted June 25, 2020 On 24/06/2020 at 14:01, Chris Clapham said: At this moment in time, most of the issues that affect steps 1 to 6 will affect 7 and below ie changing facilities. Unless there is a 2nd spike, I see no reason why all football could not resume in September. Quite agree Chis, but I can see various disagreements/arguments over certain issues by clubs when we resume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoleseyMan Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 August pre-season, September full season - http://www.surreyfa.com/news/2020/jul/18/return-of-outdoor-competitive-grassroots-football---18th-july Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big J R Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 Lets just hope there isn't a sudden Covid spike ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoleseyMan Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 Meeting of League Chairmen and Secretaries today to decide when non-league football will start, and then FA Cup draw tomorrow, which the FA seem insistent will start of Sept 1st. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Clapham Posted August 17, 2020 Author Share Posted August 17, 2020 14 hours ago, MoleseyMan said: Meeting of League Chairmen and Secretaries today to decide when non-league football will start, and then FA Cup draw tomorrow, which the FA seem insistent will start of Sept 1st. CCL have suggested 5th September start for league is ON subject to Government confirmation re allowing spectators. If not, further delay to start will be announced. FA Cup starts 1st September with or without spectators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoleseyMan Posted August 18, 2020 Share Posted August 18, 2020 I guess the prize money, even for losing, in the FA Cup offsets the lack of crowd income to some extent: Extra Preliminary Round winners (184) £1,125 / Extra Preliminary Round losers (184) £375 Preliminary Round winners (160) £1,444 / Preliminary Round losers (160) £481 First Round Qualifying winners (116) £2,250 / First Round Qualifying losers (116) £750 Second Round Qualifying winners (80) £3,375 / Second Round Qualifying losers (80) £1,125 Third Round Qualifying winners (40) £5,625 / Third Round Qualifying losers (40) £1,875 Fourth Round Qualifying winners (32) £9,375 / Fourth Round Qualifying losers (32) £3,125 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Clapham Posted August 19, 2020 Author Share Posted August 19, 2020 Spectators to be allowed back from step 3 to 7 FA to confirm details today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Clapham Posted August 19, 2020 Author Share Posted August 19, 2020 4 hours ago, Chris Clapham said: Spectators to be allowed back from step 3 to 7 FA to confirm details today Update here - https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/aug/19/updated-guidelines-for-return-of-spectators-190820 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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