Decisions being made

[Adam29]

Radio Cumbria

[russell_anderson]

A little surprised at the mixture of emotions following todays events. We did cover the possible outcomes in the days prior to todays meeting and I think we all understood that no one would get promoted from the NL today. That requires the NL to actually promote somebody!

Today was all about creating the context for the NL to make its decision. In that respect, I think we've got everything that we could have expected. The L2 relegation issue has been shunted into a siding via a commission. The principle of relegation has been upheld. And most precious of all the principle of 2 promoted teams from the NL has been agreed. The door to let us in to the EFL has been opened wide. We now just need the door to be opened from the NL to let us out.

Because the NL has not met or even discussed this issue in over a month there are still some echoes of views flying about that were being fiercely advocated in April. Some of these, specifically in relation to null and void are now just not sustainable. Simply put if the NL were not to respond to the EFLs move and fail to produce a solution that would promote two teams, it would be finished as a credible association. Any other solution requires the NL to declare a result and that means recognising the team at the top. Furthermore whatever issues it may have with starting the 20/21 season these are not relevant in so far as how the current season ends.

The prospect of play-offs should in itself pull a lot of other clubs into the "declare and move on" space as well as providing hope and expectation to the NLN/NLS and that in turn should bring in their votes as well. The issue for the NL if it is going to draft a proposal for consideration should be what it says about relegation from the NL. The null and void brigade have been pushing that line as a means of not having to face the debate over relegation. They are now going to have to face it head on.

So today has been a pretty good day for us and I take my virtual hat off to Rick Parry for sticking to his guns getting the result without comprising as far as I can see any of its regulations. He made a decision early on to play the long game, knowing that meant that there would be a risk that it could at any point be derailed. But he has delivered.

More than a pretty good day, SB. Barrow's promotion is now a given. There is no way that the NL will not follow the EFL and even if the bottom club from EFL 2 is not relegated because the NL cannot start in time there will still be one team promoted and that will be Barrow. I would expect 2 teams to be promoted from the NL (Barrow and Harrogate or Barrow and the winners of a playoff) and, if at a later date it is found the NL cannot start then the bottom team from EFL 2 will be added and Division 2 will have an extra team next season).

[Hadrian]

Has he explained why he thinks Stevenage fans should be more entitled to the streaming service than Harrogate fans?

Think his point was that they have a system in place and NL clubs don't. As I noted, a weak argument, given that it could be set up fairly easily. Perhaps NL already have it in place already for next season?

[Cromwell58]

Nearly there always wanted to live long enough to see Barrow back in the league.

[Bombadel]

Ollie Bayliss is on the sport show tonight from 6pm with the latest

Listened to most of it, but one comment that stood out is he thinks NL could still vote null and void?? (Couldn’t tell if it was Jamie’s Phillips or Ollie who said it) Although Adam contradicted this when he was asked about it, would seem an insane option given today’s events

[DaveP]

Nearly there always wanted to live long enough to see Barrow back in the league.

Same here

[russell_anderson]

Ollie Bayliss is on the sport show tonight from 6pm with the latest

Listened to most of it, but one comment that stood out is he thinks NL could still vote null and void?? Although Adam contradicted this when he was asked about it, would seem an insane option given today’s events

It would be absolutely amazing if that happened and a message to the EFL that they don't need to promote teams from the NL in the future.

[whitty1969]

[quote=Bombadel post_id=424369 time=1591726987 user_id=41692]
[quote=Adam29 post_id=424362 time=1591721045 user_id=126]
Ollie Bayliss is on the sport show tonight from 6pm with the latest
[/quote]

Listened to most of it, but one comment that stood out is he thinks NL could still vote null and void?? (Couldn’t tell if it was Jamie’s Phillips or Ollie who said it) Although Adam contradicted this when he was asked about it, would seem an insane option given today’s events
[/quote]

Null and Void would close promotion for all non-league clubs for the future too.
It would make the EFL a closed shop....Lots of big clubs in our league all trying to get out.
Be really surprised if it went that way now.
I would expect the NL to follow suit....that's what they have been waiting for....

[Jonty]

So its down to assurances from the NL that they will have a league in place for the relegated L2 team and then a round of voting across the NL clubs to wrap up the league outcome.

Tomorrow then?

[Bombadel]

So its down to assurances from the NL that they will have a league in place for the relegated L2 team and then a round of voting across the NL clubs to wrap up the league outcome.

Tomorrow then?

Hopefully, and what a celebration it will be.

[whitty1969]

So its down to assurances from the NL that they will have a league in place for the relegated L2 team and then a round of voting across the NL clubs to wrap up the league outcome.

Tomorrow then?

Would say so Jonty.....but this is Barrow and nothing goes smoothly....

[Paulmichael]

What do the likes of the Dover chairmen get out of voting null and void, I honestly dont get it, surely it wont be null and void and this time tomorrow we'll all be in dreamland

[Suffolk Blue]

Listened to most of it, but one comment that stood out is he thinks NL could still vote null and void?? (Couldn’t tell if it was Jamie’s Phillips or Ollie who said it) Although Adam contradicted this when he was asked about it, would seem an insane option given today’s events

Null and Void would close promotion for all non-league clubs for the future too.
It would make the EFL a closed shop....Lots of big clubs in our league all trying to get out.
Be really surprised if it went that way now.
I would expect the NL to follow suit....that's what they have been waiting for....

When the EFL were about to come up with their framework proposal all we could hear were the million reasons why something else would happen from all of those who were going to be adversely impacted by any outcome. Clearly its now starting afresh, so prepare yourselves for waves of additional speculation over the next few days. The prospect of relegation will quickly flush out a number of the voiders who've been in hibernation for the last 6 weeks. However once the sense of that argument starts to get really tested by reality I'd watch for some of voiders switching to a promotion but not relegation stance.

The reality of course is that the relationship between the EFL and the NL is fully defined already, including the way promotion and relegation are dealt with. Thankfully, the EFL framework agreement does not change its existing regulations on this in any way whatsoever so there is very probably no basis, either morally or legally, via which the NL could use the EFL as a reason for changing them. They would be breaking their contract with the EFL.

The margins in terms of votes between those instinctively wanting to declare and those who ideally would want to void is definitely narrower than in the EFL which adds to a possible sense of uncertainly. Just as with the EFL the role of the NL council will be pivotal in securing an outcome. It must define a proposal and the scope of its proposal must not fall outside the scope of the League above. To be fair the NL has to date shown no indication of veering from the path of righteousness. We need to stay patient.

[Jonty]

Patient? We are all like coiled up springs here, pent up with emotions!!

[deadly wealdstone]

What do the likes of the Dover chairmen get out of voting null and void, I honestly dont get it, surely it wont be null and void and this time tomorrow we'll all be in dreamland

Sorry to pee on your chips, but tomorrow's meeting will only be the National board sorting out how to frame the all-important options which will then be put to the clubs towards the end of the week.

As per the process that the EFL took, there then will follow (probably) another five days before the all-important vote takes place. (sigh)

Following tomorrow's meeting, it would be a relief if the Board put out a statement saying that N&V is no longer an option.
Fingers still crossed, but the champers will have to stay in the fridge a wee bit longer.