There appears to me that it is unlikely that this season will be able to be completed in the foreseeable future
yes, in theory, if all squads remained healthy, with none infected and nobody in quarantine, some matches might be possible. These might be possible behind closed doors. Some of the clubs in the division have been doing this for most of the season
Last season there was a willingness to decide outcomes on points per game when there were more contenders than promotion slots
My suggestion of Football Manager matches is less plausible. I
The season could be concluded in August, perhaps but what would happen a October onwards
There was a lot of discussion last season about points per game, and if football does not restart in the next month I feel that it is the only solution. 75% of games have been played and think it is the best solution. Would definitely work in our favour..........if not suggest games are settled by Scissors,Paper ,Stone.
Not sure that would be the case if you are top of the league or are in a play off place. Think most people want season completed even if that means July/August. New season could then start in September and if necessary cancel some of the cup competitions.
It’s not as simple as it seems to delay, as contracted players will have a end date, grounds will not always be available at some levels, and all leagues will have to agree as to what to do, as it’s no good national league teams voting for one outcome and lower leagues another. I believe at non league level it will come down to a choice of 2. Void season or average points per game.
Can only see one outcome and that is the season being written off and starting again in August. PPG does not work as there will be arguments on whose played who. The situation would have to be the same surely for every league and decision made by the FA not the league. Wouldn't want to be a Liverpool fan but I'd imagine it's the only way to prevent clubs taking legal action. A big disappointment for us as we appear to be favourites to win BV South East. Lets hope football might resumes sooner so that it doesn't come to this.
A statement has been sent to all of our clubs by Nick Robinson, Chair of the Isthmian League. It covers issues around how the season will end, player contracts and Government support. We don't propose to repeat all of the detail here as much of it will be of interest only to clubs, but the main points around discussions on how we end the season are worthy of sharing. Nick explains:
'The Alliance Leagues held the latest of several conference calls last night (Monday) after our own Board, and those of the Northern Premier and Southern Leagues, met over the weekend to determine how we wish to proceed. We have also participated in calls with the Step 5/6 clubs.
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 the whole of the National League System. However, this may not be possible.
The Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Leagues are unanimous in wanting to terminate the 2019-20 season immediately. The Step 5/6 Leagues also support the immediate termination of the season.
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 determined 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 Step 3 and 4 Leagues have therefore commenced the process to terminate the season. This has to be ratified by the FA Council, so there may be a short delay as the relevant documentation is submitted, distributed and approved.
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.
As soon as the National League’s position is finalised, we will be able to confirm the basis on which the 2019-20 season has ended. As I have already pointed out, we need as much commonality across the National League System as possible.
The FA is currently reviewing its Rules to understand whether any emergency changes are required for season 2019/2020 which impact on player contracts, registration deadlines and retention/offers of re-engagement in the National League System. Given the fast-moving nature of the existing situation this work is ongoing.
Finally, at this very difficult time, I hope that you and your families will stay safe.'
Once we have more information about this matter, we will bring it to you as quickly as we can.
Absolutely gutted for Chris and the squad after the decision made this afternoon that there will be no promotion or relegation. All efforts must now go into keeping Chris and the bulk of the squad for next season. Total cop out by the league
Trouble is there was little else they could do, Most of us argued PPG wasn’t fair last year, so why is it fair this? Players registrations and contracts don’t run indefinitely, so they might have stretched it to the end of May but definitely not any further. It’s a shame but not the most important event of 2020. Apart from PPG the only other way would have been to take the results of the 1st match between teams only. So not many options available.
Probably because they had many complaints about it not being fair. And this would have been even worse as not all games were played, and it wasn’t allowed for in the rules at the start of the season. We don’t like it and it is an awful way to end a season but it’s probably the right way to conclude things.
It would be the right way to conclude things if the premier league, efl and national league do the same, but all signs coming from them suggest that they won't. Personally I don't understand the idea that basing pro/rel on the table as it is currently would be unfair anyway, its definitely not ideal but you can't plan your season around scraping into promotion places/ out of relegation places. The decision shows an utter lack of care for the clubs affected by this and there definitely won't be actions taken like a transfer ban because if the higher ups can't be bothered to use a calculator they're not going to expend any effort in making things fairer.
-- Edited by Ginga on Thursday 26th of March 2020 05:46:38 PM
Did think this would be the outcome. Disappointing not to be able to finish season when in a strong position but we were hardly running away with it (our more recent performances were not always convincing) like maldon & Tiptree and I'm guessing PPG posed issues. Maybe in future the league may write something into the rules to say how unfinished seasons are decided?
Actually makes you wonder if next season will start on time? But thanks for a good season Hastings, even if it now never happened
