SWPL season cancelled ....

[Dave Deacon]

The LEAGUE season at Steps 3 to 6 is immediately curtailed so ALL LEAGUE FIXTURES will be cancelled.

PRESS RELEASE issued

An update on Steps 3-6 of the NLS

The FA’s Alliance and Leagues Committees have now considered the large amount of data and information submitted by clubs across the National League System (NLS) Steps 3-6 as part of a survey to gather views on the continuation or conclusion of the 2020-21 league season, in addition to the information set out in the Government’s roadmap this week.

Submissions were made by 99.1% of clubs at Steps 3 and 4, and 95.8% of clubs at Steps 5 and 6. We would like to thank the clubs for submitting their views and the time taken in providing responses during what we appreciate is an incredibly challenging period for everyone.

The results of the survey showed that over 76% of all clubs across Steps 3-6 indicated a preference to curtail the 2020-21 league season if it could not be restarted with limited spectator numbers and hospitality before 1 April 2021.

During this process, taking into account views of clubs and leagues it was decided that extending the 2020-21 league season beyond the end of May 2021 would not be a viable option. This was due to various considerations, including the financial implications for many clubs, player contracts and the extent of the fixture scheduling issues caused by the national lockdown and various postponements which had resulted in there being 81% of matches left to complete for Steps 3 and 4, and 75% at Steps 5 and 6.

Taking into account the survey results and the ongoing impact of Covid-19, which continues to adversely affect incomes for clubs due to restrictions on both spectators and hospitality, The FA’s Alliance and Leagues Committees have reached a consensus that subject to the approval of FA Council, the 2020-21 league season for Steps 3-6 of the NLS should be curtailed with immediate effect, with no further league matches taking place this season.

The Committees will now present their collective recommendations to The FA Council for ratification.

It has also been decided that subject to FA Council’s decision regarding the curtailment of the season at Steps 3 to 6, both committees will revisit discussions around a potential restructure at Steps 4-6 of the NLS, which was previously agreed and has been on hold since the 2019-20 season. A further update on this will be provided in due course.

 

from the SWPL:- 

Follow up to the earlier statement - Clubs have been advised that a consultation paper regarding possible Cups (new & existing) will go out to them shortly.

Interest in entry, and any restrictions (esp crowds / bars) will be factored into any decisions to stage cups Etc.

[quiksilver]

Do I still get credited with winning the prediction league??? 

[Bruegel the Elder]

Disappointed? Yes! Surprised? No!

[Journeyman009]

1 hour ago, Dave Deacon said:

The LEAGUE season at Steps 3 to 6 is immediately curtailed so ALL LEAGUE FIXTURES will be cancelled.

PRESS RELEASE issued

 

An update on Steps 3-6 of the NLS

The FA’s Alliance and Leagues Committees have now considered the large amount of data and information submitted by clubs across the National League System (NLS) Steps 3-6 as part of a survey to gather views on the continuation or conclusion of the 2020-21 league season, in addition to the information set out in the Government’s roadmap this week.

Submissions were made by 99.1% of clubs at Steps 3 and 4, and 95.8% of clubs at Steps 5 and 6. We would like to thank the clubs for submitting their views and the time taken in providing responses during what we appreciate is an incredibly challenging period for everyone.

The results of the survey showed that over 76% of all clubs across Steps 3-6 indicated a preference to curtail the 2020-21 league season if it could not be restarted with limited spectator numbers and hospitality before 1 April 2021.

During this process, taking into account views of clubs and leagues it was decided that extending the 2020-21 league season beyond the end of May 2021 would not be a viable option. This was due to various considerations, including the financial implications for many clubs, player contracts and the extent of the fixture scheduling issues caused by the national lockdown and various postponements which had resulted in there being 81% of matches left to complete for Steps 3 and 4, and 75% at Steps 5 and 6.

Taking into account the survey results and the ongoing impact of Covid-19, which continues to adversely affect incomes for clubs due to restrictions on both spectators and hospitality, The FA’s Alliance and Leagues Committees have reached a consensus that subject to the approval of FA Council, the 2020-21 league season for Steps 3-6 of the NLS should be curtailed with immediate effect, with no further league matches taking place this season.

The Committees will now present their collective recommendations to The FA Council for ratification.

It has also been decided that subject to FA Council’s decision regarding the curtailment of the season at Steps 3 to 6, both committees will revisit discussions around a potential restructure at Steps 4-6 of the NLS, which was previously agreed and has been on hold since the 2019-20 season. A further update on this will be provided in due course.

 

from the SWPL:- 

Follow up to the earlier statement - Clubs have been advised that a consultation paper regarding possible Cups (new & existing) will go out to them shortly.

Interest in entry, and any restrictions (esp crowds / bars) will be factored into any decisions to stage cups Etc.

What happeneds with promotion and relegation ? or is it all cancelled ?for the teams at the top of the league as it stands and applied for promotion must be gutted .. what happeneds to this ?? 

[John Mead]

14 minutes ago, Journeyman009 said:

What happeneds with promotion and relegation ? or is it all cancelled ?for the teams at the top of the league as it stands and applied for promotion must be gutted .. what happeneds to this ?? 

The FA are holding further discussions on the restructure of Steps 4 - 6; if they decide to go ahead for next season, it would require promotions from both Steps 5 and 6, leaving vacancies to be filled at Step 6. If and how that transpires is totally in the hands of the NLS!

[le boss]

21 minutes ago, Journeyman009 said:

What happeneds with promotion and relegation ? or is it all cancelled ?for the teams at the top of the league as it stands and applied for promotion must be gutted .. what happeneds to this ?? 

think the precedent was set last season when promotions and relegations did not happen

[Dave Deacon]

1 hour ago, quiksilver said:

Do I still get credited with winning the prediction league??? 

Sorry - Null & Void 🤤

[Philheybrookbay]

9 hours ago, le boss said:

think the precedent was set last season when promotions and relegations did not happen

And this is the BIG difference.

2019-2020 was declared null and void.

2020-2021 has only been Curtailed.

There's a lot of speculation online that the tables 2020/21 can be used for Promotion. 

[100%cornish]

So thats the end of this season whats going to happen if the Covid comes back again next season exactly the same will happen again why not stop football all together and have Tiddly winks instead , could of scrapped all the matches that have already been cancelled and just play out the games which are left .I think its a bloody joke im off to jump off the cliff now 

[Bruegel the Elder]

Don’t despair 100%, the FA will sort it all out. Hmmm, on second thoughts, do despair!

[Way Of The Park]

5 hours ago, Philheybrookbay said:

And this is the BIG difference.

2019-2020 was declared null and void.

2020-2021 has only been Curtailed.

There's a lot of speculation online that the tables 2020/21 can be used for Promotion. 

The detail is in the language used. Whether it is PPG or frozen 2020/21 league tables used (not just for promotion/relegation, but allocation of FA Cup entries for 2021/22 I would think), there will be a lot of unhappy clubs out there. Looking at some of the Twitter feeds for the clubs within National League North & South, then this could easily end up with lawyers involved.

[Dave Deacon]

2 hours ago, 100%cornish said:

So thats the end of this season whats going to happen if the Covid comes back again next season exactly the same will happen again why not stop football all together and have Tiddly winks instead , could of scrapped all the matches that have already been cancelled and just play out the games which are left .I think its a bloody joke im off to jump off the cliff now 

All being well if the Swpl clubs want it - there will be some football later in this season, but not quite as normal! 

[100%cornish]

You are right Bruegel i cant see the Fa sorting anything out they will just copy what other leagues are going to do .I can see Covid coming back again next season and exactly the same thing will happen again its not just going to go away .Cant help feeling sorry for all the footballers have to spend there Saturdays out shopping with the missus again i can hear the groans all over Devon and Cornwall 

[Bruegel the Elder]

Spot on 100%, that’s why I’ve been advocating the roll over, so we don’t get caught out again by a new winter variant as some virologists are predicting. But no, the FA will plod on as usual, losing the plot as they look backwards over their shoulders rather than forwards to what might be coming (Oh no, I’m beginning to sound like BIG AL again!).

[Philheybrookbay]

4 hours ago, Way Of The Park said:

The detail is in the language used. Whether it is PPG or frozen 2020/21 league tables used (not just for promotion/relegation, but allocation of FA Cup entries for 2021/22 I would think), there will be a lot of unhappy clubs out there. Looking at some of the Twitter feeds for the clubs within National League North & South, then this could easily end up with lawyers involved.

From our point i think the FA will want 4 teams from SWPL sooner rather than later. Then 1 each season going forward. Within a few years I can see a few teams being at Step 5 and even step 4 (Southern League).  The days of the backwater will hopefully come to an end.

[Way Of The Park]

1 minute ago, Philheybrookbay said:

From our point i think the FA will want 4 teams from SWPL sooner rather than later. Then 1 each season going forward. Within a few years I can see a few teams being at Step 5 and even step 4 (Southern League).  The days of the backwater will hopefully come to an end.

Agree with you Sir, there appears to be a long term plan to shift the Western League away from its current heavy Bristol/Bath area basis, towards a more Cornwall/Devon/Somerset focus. Getting off topic in this thread though, and I suspect it will open another can of worms on this forum. As a Plymouth Parkway supporter though, I am aware of the growing frustration at Bolitho Park that (due to COVID and league annulment/cancellations) they cannot make the jump up to step 4. Wonder if the same thoughts exist at the likes of Helston and Mousehole for example regarding being unable to get up to step 5.

[hoppit]

Covid cup on the way, 8 groups of 5 teams each playing 2 games home and 2 away, with top 8 going through to knockout competition. Heard Mr Hiscox on radio earlier. Local groups to avoid travelling.

[Bruegel the Elder]

49 minutes ago, hoppit said:

Covid cup on the way, 8 groups of 5 teams each playing 2 games home and 2 away, with top 8 going through to knockout competition. Heard Mr Hiscox on radio earlier. Local groups to avoid travelling.

Sorry Older, Mr. H has obviously been reading my posts!!!

[100%cornish]

So the football is cancelled but Boardmasters is going to be on where there will be  about  20,000 people close to each other this is asking for trouble but you get about 50 people if your lucky watching a footy match and thats unsafe . Its all a Joke .They are on about playing a pointless cup competition whats the point of that why not just play the games that are left in the season and just cancel the missed games you dont need to be bloody Einstein .Surely if they think its safe to have 1000s of people here for Boardmasters it would be safe enough to play the remainding matches .SIMPLES

[razor61]

2 hours ago, 100%cornish said:

So the football is cancelled but Boardmasters is going to be on where there will be  about  20,000 people close to each other this is asking for trouble but you get about 50 people if your lucky watching a footy match and thats unsafe . Its all a Joke .They are on about playing a pointless cup competition whats the point of that why not just play the games that are left in the season and just cancel the missed games you dont need to be bloody Einstein .Surely if they think its safe to have 1000s of people here for Boardmasters it would be safe enough to play the remainding matches .SIMPLES

More like 50000 Steve! Mostly youngsters who don't necessarily get ill but spread covid like wildfire, remember the students last year! Bloody crazy decision!

[Del Boy]

Is there going to be any football before the end of season?

Could the CCFA set some sort of cup competition/competitions?

 

[Philheybrookbay]

8 hours ago, razor61 said:

More like 50000 Steve! Mostly youngsters who don't necessarily get ill but spread covid like wildfire, remember the students last year! Bloody crazy decision!

Big difference this year. You'll have been offered a double vaccination. So if they spread, you'll have around 94% chance of not catching it compared to an almost certainty.

Something else to bear in mind- I caught Covid at a SWPL game in October. Bad luck, but proves you could catch it anywhere and not just in a big crowd.

[leedsunited]

Reality is guys like it or not, it's mickey mouse football down here. The standard has dropped dramatically over the years, look at the calibre of players here in the 80s & 90s, & even better before then. 

Football was football, clubs had support, respect & no Pre-Madonnas, (well maybe one or two!) but nothing like it is now. 

Just except that the standard of football down here doesn't warrant the risks of passing on the disease, as clubs don't have the infrastructure to carry out everything required to make sure it doesn't spread again.

Let's wait a few months, & go again in the summer, it's only 3 months before Pre-Season starts 😀

[Way Of The Park]

15 hours ago, hoppit said:

Covid cup on the way, 8 groups of 5 teams each playing 2 games home and 2 away, with top 8 going through to knockout competition. Heard Mr Hiscox on radio earlier. Local groups to avoid travelling.

Setting aside my thoughts on how worthwhile this cup will be, hope we come up with a better name for the competition than the "COVID Cup." As we have lost so many big personalities and figures from the local non league scene over the last year, how about naming it after one of them? My choice would be the "Dave Rawlings Trophy."

[Dave Deacon]

Interesting chat and update from SWPL Secretary Phil Hiscox on this week’s Soccer Podcast. Starts around the 2 hours 12 minutes mark :- just go to anchor.fm/cornishsoccer

If you have a favourite podcast platform just search for CORNISH SOCCER talking football!

[100%cornish]

Sorry about the stupid figure of 20,000 i put down for Boardmasters yes 50,000 is more like it plus ,So there maybe some pointless cup Competition why not just play the ones already Just put Saltash vs Mousehole for the Easter Monday Final and play that 

[bighairydave]

22 hours ago, Del Boy said:

Is there going to be any football before the end of season?

Could the CCFA set some sort of cup competition/competitions?

 

Clubs in SWPL now being surveyed regarding the league cup competition.

[Philheybrookbay]

On 26/02/2021 at 08:41, Dave Deacon said:

Interesting chat and update from SWPL Secretary Phil Hiscox on this week’s Soccer Podcast. Starts around the 2 hours 12 minutes mark :- just go to anchor.fm/cornishsoccer

If you have a favourite podcast platform just search for CORNISH SOCCER talking football!

Interesting as well. Its a can of worms depending on the development of steps above us. The no relegation part was the most Interesting!

[cornishteddyboy]

Why were there better "standards" of football 40, 50, 60 years ago? 

Obvious.

Nowadays, as soon as players, both male or female are old enough they move away to study at colleges and universities. Years ago there were some oppertunities but not as now, and a lot of players stayed local for jobs, getting married, puuting down roots. They became loyal to their local area. Nowadays every Tom, Dick and small town seems to have some form of university. They seem to be springing up everywhere.

Nowadays you have lost that local loyalty. Some ex-students come back, but we, and it is happening to all the far flung outer country areas, ask Fenman about East Anglia, are losing the 19-24 year olds to the cities.

How many times have you stood on the touchline watching a lad, you saying what a great player he is, only to be told he is off to university. Many times.  

[TheolderIgetthebetterIwas]

It's called progress and its unstoppable. 

[100%cornish]

Because they would rather play games on there Computers or go surfing instead of getting  the shit kicked out of them by some big ugly defender 

[Way Of The Park]

On 27/02/2021 at 13:42, cornishteddyboy said:

Why were there better "standards" of football 40, 50, 60 years ago? 

Obvious.

Nowadays, as soon as players, both male or female are old enough they move away to study at colleges and universities. Years ago there were some oppertunities but not as now, and a lot of players stayed local for jobs, getting married, puuting down roots. They became loyal to their local area. Nowadays every Tom, **** and small town seems to have some form of university. They seem to be springing up everywhere.

Nowadays you have lost that local loyalty. Some ex-students come back, but we, and it is happening to all the far flung outer country areas, ask Fenman about East Anglia, are losing the 19-24 year olds to the cities.

How many times have you stood on the touchline watching a lad, you saying what a great player he is, only to be told he is off to university. Many times.  

Big part of it CTB. Big and deep discussion (probably best over a glass of something,and not on this forum) on social and economic policy towards the regions over the past 40 or so years. People (especially) youngsters, have to move to embrace opportunities for either work or study, and are more wiling to do so now.   None of my circle of friends lives within 100 miles of where they were born and raised, only one of my siblings still lives in Cornwall.