The Independent Voice of Ilkeston Football
1 of 1- Matchman
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This season
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There is now little chance of finishing this season in the normal way. We have only played 7 league matches so far meaning we still have 31matches to play. Most of the teams in our league seem reluctant to re-start their fixtures. There is a possibility that some teams are reluctant to play matches which they consider they could lose. This is in case the season is cut short and positions are decided on a points per game basis.
So in my opinion now is the time the League should revert to Plan B which involves splitting our division into two sections of ten playing each other home and away ie 18 matches. That way the season has a far better chance of completion and promotion and relegation decided following playoffs.
To avoid the make-up of teams in each section being contentious the best way would be to do it by drawing teams out of a hat.
- WhiteBallProject
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Re: This season
I would even think of going to plan C and having four groups of five with each team playing each other home and away making eight games. I would then put the top two of each mini league into two groups of four with home and away games. The top of each league would be promoted and then they would play off for the championship. If we ran out of weeks left instead of this system I would go straight to a eight group knock out competition with the finalists both promoted.
- WhiteBallProject
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Re: This season
By my reckoning we have eighteen Saturdays to the first of May. Fitting in eighteens games for each team is doable but will be tight if more COVID restrictions are introduced. We may have a chance if we extend the season into June but to be honest I cannot see teams playing till mid February and then we may have to rethink the season.
- kevilsonlad
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Re: This season
Plus the weather will take its toll . Game over I think.
- Matchman
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Re: This season
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Ollie Bayliss[/url] [url=]@Ollie_Bayliss
The Midland Football League Board has decided to suspend all league fixtures until 31st January 2021. The Board will continue to review the situation in line with further Government announcements.
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Thread Starter- Matchman
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Re: This season
From DerbyshireFootball.com.
Matlock boss Phillips fears NPL season could be over
Matlock Town boss Paul Phillips fears the Northern Premier League may suffer a second successive null and void season.
It was confirmed this week that more fixtures have been cancelled in the coming weeks due to the increased levels of the COVID-19 virus around the country, with Matlock's next game currently due to be at home to FC United of Manchester on Saturday, January 16.
But with a large number of games still to be played, and the likelihood of more postponements to come, Phillips is struggling to see how they will be fitted in before the summer.
Last edited by Matchman (01/1/2021 9:34 PM)
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Thread Starter- WhiteBallProject
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Re: This season
I think if the vaccine and the present restrictions get the transmission rate down to an acceptable level there will be a public clamour for local football. I am presuming that if we all get through the next two months we should start to be able to see the defeat of this virus and I think people will want to get out and try do some of the things they have missed. I would hope the Trident Leagues have a plan B,C,D,or even E for this which may include a short competition similar to the old World Cup i.e. Four groups and then knock out up to a final to decide promotion places. You could even get the teams or the worst performing teams who don't qualify for the knock out section to play off to avoid relegation.
So in summary the present season may be eventually null and void but I hope the powers that be can come up with some meaningful football including promotion and relegation.
What we must all look forward to is the day when we have control over this virus and with the vaccines we have so far that should be sooner rather than later. Things will get back more like normal and hopefully we shall all appreciate normal more than we did previously.
- Matchman
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Re: This season
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'NON-ELITE' FOOTBALL SUSPENDED FOLLOWING LATEST COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS Monday 04 Jan 2021
With England entering lockdown with immediate effect on Monday evening, the majority of grassroots football is not permitted
We note the UK Government’s announcement on Monday 4 January with regards to the new national COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown.
As a result, the impact on ‘non-elite’ football in England will include the suspension of fixtures and training across the following with immediate effect:
- Steps three to six of the National League System
- Tiers three to seven of the Women’s Football Pyramid
- Regional NLS feeder leagues
- Barclays FA WSL Academy League (unless under elite status)
- FA Girls Regional Talent Clubs (unless under elite status)
- All indoor and outdoor youth and adult grassroots football, including under-18s (except organised outdoor football for disabled people, which is allowed to continue)
- Vitality Women’s FA Cup (which is currently classified as ‘non-elite’ at this stage in the competition)
It is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers and facility providers adhere to the Government’s new national COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and we implore everyone to follow these. Dialogue will continue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, leagues, competitions and County Football Associations and we will provide further updates for the 2020-21 Vitality Women’s FA Cup, Buildbase FA Vase and ‘non-elite’ football when relevant. We would like to thank the football community once again for its hard work, resilience and understanding during such an incredibly challenging period for both the game and wider society.
By FA Staff
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