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Post by wwrebel on Dec 15, 2020 22:59:55 GMT
If the Southern and Isthmian, as part of the Trident Leagues set up, show some consistency then surely we should be looking to return to action this weekend.
Unfortunately our scheduled opponents, Haringey, are still in the FA Trophy after beating Eastbourne Borough this evening!!??
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Post by topbloke on Dec 16, 2020 15:33:50 GMT
Sorry Kenty should have been more clear . Northern Prem League. Same level (3) in the pyramid as us ⚽️⚽️⚽️
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Post by Kenty in Weardale on Dec 17, 2020 0:23:51 GMT
No worries topbloke, the BBC keep making the same mistake!!!!!
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Post by gobboagain on Dec 17, 2020 8:13:34 GMT
Rumours of Sussex going into tier 3 😒 Seriously hope not. As for me that would sound like our season becoming null and void.
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Post by Keithsson on Dec 17, 2020 12:31:41 GMT
Rumours of Sussex going into tier 3 😒 Seriously hope not. As for me that would sound like our season becoming null and void. Just Hastings and Rother were announced. But that doesn't help shift the fixture constipation because joining Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire today come parts of Surrey too. Its all well and good us remaining in tier 2 but with the stance the league has taken if almost all our opponents are in tier 3, and of course no club can use their clubhouses either, we still won't play any games. I do support the Christmas bubble thing but everyone knows enough folk will take the piss that we'll be in national lockdown through January too. We COULD have played enough fixtures in December to still make the completion of the season viable (albeit hectic) with a possible extension into June. But no, the fact they opted to wait for tier reductions that were never coming and financial help that was never coming, no football in December means no completed season. Its bollox 👎
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Post by wwrebel on Dec 17, 2020 12:55:45 GMT
63 Isthmian sides now in tier 3. Folkestone have stated that they won't be playing till mid January at the earliest. No leadership from the league at all. Null and void incoming meaning our last 43 league matches count for nothing. Might as well furlough the players now and save some money.
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Post by Keithsson on Dec 17, 2020 13:37:15 GMT
There must be a strong case now to stop playing these friendlies before more players get injured.
There is only a point to them if we are definitely restarting. But the league would totally undermine their stance if they restarted now even more clubs are in tier 3.
When the inevitable post Christmas lockdown is over there'll need to be another mini mid/pre season anyway, in February at the very earliest. Any match fitness gained now will be totally lost by then.
There needs to be some honesty from the league. Don't string us along fortnight to fortnight, tell it straight. Look ahead, see what's coming, be bold and make a 'kin decision.
We've already lost Dajon but think how many other players are risking significant injuries in friendlies across the Trident leagues charging about on heavy pitches... all for absolutely nothing. Its farcical.
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Post by wwrebel on Dec 17, 2020 14:17:51 GMT
I think you will be probably proved correct Keithsson. If we are lucky we might be able to play twice a week through March, April and May. Hopefully get to 21 games played and the season decided on that basis. We have already played 8 so an additional 15 in 3 months should be achievable. Obviously this would need the virus to be under control, more vaccinations being rolled out and also for the league officials to actually make a firm decision as to how this season will play out. With no games going on at present it would be the perfect time to plan ahead and implement a contingency plan that really should have been in place before the first league game of the 20/21 season. www.cray-wanderers.com/st-albans-city-v-cray-wanderers-the-pre-match-thoughts-of-tony-russell/Halfway through this article is the Cray managers opinions on the leadership of the Isthmian League, some strong views but very hard to disagree with them.
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Post by Keithsson on Dec 17, 2020 15:08:42 GMT
Wow, just wow 🙄
That's a great find WW, a real window into what went on with this decision. And I never would've thought it was actually even more of a clusterf*ck than it first appears. Unbelievable.
Honestly folks its a long read (the relevant bit starts about a third in) but make a coffee and strap yourselves in for it because it is worth it to fully appreciate the ineptitude of our league management.
On a side note thats the first I've seen of January 9th being mentioned as the next proposed restart date. I know I switched off things a bit but is January 9th an announcement I missed?
...notwithstanding national events will scupper it anyway.
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Post by wwrebel on Dec 17, 2020 16:38:38 GMT
January 9th mentioned here.
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Post by wwrebel on Dec 17, 2020 18:27:41 GMT
Link to a statement from the league released today.
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Post by wwrebel on Dec 17, 2020 23:52:14 GMT
Some thoughts from Hinsh.
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Post by Roger on Dec 18, 2020 11:32:12 GMT
Perhaps instead of asking when the season will restart we should be asking would it have been better simply not to have a 2020-21 season. Everything that has happened was entirely predictable.
Many complained when the FA declared the previous season null and void without more consultation so they've given the power to the leagues and now we're blaming the FA for not taking leadership. FFS you can't have it both ways
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Post by Keithsson on Dec 18, 2020 11:49:39 GMT
Well I'm not blaming the FA. That account of the decision making process puts the blame squarely at the leagues doorstep.
And it was the league who decided null and void 2019/20. The FA just ratified it.
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Post by Kenty in Weardale on Dec 18, 2020 22:45:27 GMT
Ok, bear in mind that it's Friday night, mine and Kerryrebels home pub for 2 has been open since 6pm and I have been thinking I know and understand why, that the owners of a club, usually in the person of the chairman, make the decisions re a clubs future, and of course cast a vote in the recent discussions we have seen. BUT If the league or clubs don't take the fans with them on these matters, supporters grow disillusioned, attendances fall, clubs fail. At all clubs, no matter what the level, the fans are the one constant. We carry on through a never ending roster of players, managers, coaches, glory hunters, ground hoppers, even owners. Unless I feel valued in my support, I'll walk. I did it before when the values of my league team diverged so far from mine that I could no longer support them at any level; I don't want that to happen again because I can't stomach the Isth League/FA and the manner of its decision making. It seems that if those who pupport to be the guardians of our game no longer even give lip service to what we feel then some kind of reaction is inevitable. Personally I trust George more than I would trust anyone else in this league when it comes to looking after WFC and us fans. However, if this had happened in the past under different regimes that may have been more difficult. Do other fans have that kind of trust in their chairmen? I also wonder about the fan owned clubs (not a pop at Lewes) at all levels in the game. Have they balloted their members? I don't know but from looking at the fans forums, it appears not. I suppose that it's all pointless anyway. There's no way I can see a meaningful season happening so I really should stop getting so pissed off about the whole thing, it's just wasted emotion. Stay safe all Kenty
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