Official we are up

[The Horse'sMouth]

The FA have confirmed our promotion.

[Nikki 50/50]

when do we know what league? 11th?

[The Horse'sMouth]

Yes the 11th

[Tom S]

Confirmation now on the FA's website:

 

http://www.thefa.com/Grassroots/Leaguesystem/LatestNews/Postings/2005/05/Step5_Promotion.htm

[Southport - TOWNER]

Save you on the Hyperlink...

 

Promotion confirmation

Tuesday, 03 May 2005.

 

Following the recent series of ground grading inspections, The Football Association has confirmed that the following clubs have met the entry criteria for promotion to Step 4 of the National League System having finished champions of their respective leagues:-

 

Enfield Town FC (Essex Senior League)

Fleetwood Town FC (North West Counties League)

Goole FC (Northern Counties East League)

Ilford FC (Isthmian League)

Potters Bar Town FC (Spartan South Midlands League)

Ramsgate FC (Kent League)

Rushall Olympic FC (Midland Football Alliance)

 

As there will be a requirement for eight promoted clubs, play-off matches will be played between the following three second placed clubs who have also met the entry standard:-

 

Didcot Town FC (Hellenic League)

Enfield FC (Isthmian League)

Winchester City FC (Wessex League)

 

Didcot Town FC and Winchester City FC qualify as their respective leagues did not have an eligible champion club. Enfield FC qualify as the final year of an agreement that two clubs from the Isthmian League Division Two be considered for promotion.

 

A draw has taken place to determine the final promotion place. This is as follows:-

 

Enfield FC -v- Winchester City FC

Didcot Town FC -v- Enfield FC or Winchester City FC

 

Dates for play-off matches are to be advised.

[Mr Happy]

At last, the confirmation. Now we really can start to look forward to next season.

 

WELL DONE TO THE PLAYERS, OFFICIALS AND SUPPORTERS! WHAT A SEASON!

[Jim Cunneen]

Its a bit tough on EFC tho. TWO games to get promotion. I think one is fair enough but two is a bit harsh.

 

Jim <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/icon_smokin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/icon_smokin.gif" alt="" />

[Mr Happy]

I guess it just boiled down to a draw. Only one of the second placed clubs could go through to the final.

[Bruce Darnell]

Brilliant. Congratulations from Australia. Well done to the Board/Committee, Jim and all the players and to the supporters as well. I have been watching the number of eligible teams dwindle until there were just nine and hoping beyond hope that a play-off was not necessary.

 

In fairness, putting the second place teams who are eligible into the play-offs is the only way. If you win the league, you should not be put in a play-off situation with second placed clubs getting automatic promotion. So it's seems to me that the FA got it right in the long run even though they kept everyone sweating.

[Southport - TOWNER]

Quote:

Jim Cunneen said:
Its a bit tough on EFC tho. TWO games to get promotion. I think one is fair enough but two is a bit harsh.

Jim <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/icon_smokin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/icon_smokin.gif" alt="" />

don't you mean it's harsh for both, it is just as bad for Winchester

[Gazza]

Even worse Winchester are away to Enfield then if succesfull away again to Didcot.

[Pretty Vacant]

Quote:

Jim Cunneen said:
Its a bit tough on EFC tho. TWO games to get promotion. I think one is fair enough but two is a bit harsh.

Jim <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/icon_smokin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/icon_smokin.gif" alt="" />

Not tough at all, bearing in mind if one other champion club from a feeder league had applied and been successful, then 1893 wouldn't have even
been in the frame for a play off place. Lucky, I say. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bigshock.gif" alt="" />

[Gonzo]

Too happy for words.

[Cyclops]

Quote:

Pretty Vacant said:

Quote:

Jim Cunneen said:
Its a bit tough on EFC tho. TWO games to get promotion. I think one is fair enough but two is a bit harsh.

Jim <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/icon_smokin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/icon_smokin.gif" alt="" />

Not tough at all, bearing in mind if one other champion club from a feeder league had applied and been successful, then 1893 wouldn't have even
been in the frame for a play off place. Lucky, I say. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bigshock.gif" alt="" />

They would, actually. As part of the deal that the FA and the Ryman League came to over restructuring. Don't forget, Ilford and EFC were in the same division and Ilford won it.

I do hope this means that the infamous Cricklefield floodlights will no longer look like they came from the car spares shop round the corner!

[Urchin Boy]

Congratulations

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Quote:

Urchin Boy HxC said:
Congratulations

One point it. The ESL is a good competitive league and far from easy, but thank you

[The Invisible Man]

Quote:

if one other champion club from a feeder league had applied and been successful, then 1893 wouldn't have even
been in the frame for a play off place. Lucky, I say.

They would, actually. As part of the deal that the FA and the Ryman League came to over restructuring.

According to PBTFC somewhere else, although everone believed this, it was not actually the case, and the runners-up in Ryman 2 would only be offered a promotion/play-off spot if there was a "vacancy" - which has transpired. It seems that the FA didn't bother to tell anyone beforehand.

[MbrunoB]

Or did certain people only tell clubs what was needed at certain times?

[vienna1964]

Beware... I do not wish to be seen to be urinating upon anyone's bonfire, however - there is the faint and ludicrous possibility still afoot that the whole Step 5 promotion shebang ain't over yet !

 

The notification that seven champion teams are automatically promoted and that there are three second placed teams to play-off for the eighth place may have been premature.

 

Whilst I agree that it is quite beyond the pale, there are two appeals to be heard - from Lymington & New Milton FC and from Walton Casuals FC - both of which are champion clubs within Step 5.

 

If either/both of these appeals were to be agreed, then there might be a necessary change to the promotion acceptees.

 

There are three outcomes:-

 

Scenario A:- No appeal succeeds

 

As there are only 8 places available for promotion to the step 4 leagues, the 7 champion clubs will be promoted and the three 2nd placed clubs will play-off for the remaining place.

 

Scenario B:- One appeal succeeds

 

There are now 8 champion clubs to fill quota - there is no need for any play-offs between second placed clubs as there are no promotion places left to compete for.

 

Scenario C:- Both appeals succeed

 

There are now 9 champion clubs and the quota is over-subscribed ! There would be one play-off game from within this list of competitors and one champion club would not be promoted thereby. There is no call for second placed clubs as there is already oversubscription for the available promotion positions from within the list of champion clubs.

 

 

I am currently in discussions with another (on his forum)

 

http://www.soccerlinks.net/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi

 

about this issue.

We disagree at present as he contends it is his understanding that even if either/both Lymington & NM &/or Walton do succeed in their appeals, they would be made to enter into these play-offs:- Lymington & NM replacing Winchester in the one fixture and Walton facing Didcot (away) in a second fixture - the winners then playing-off for the one remaining place !

 

I beleive this scenario to be "morally" wrong and hope that Tony's information sources are incorrect - although (as last season is my witness) anything is possible with the FA !!!