Decisions being made

[Paulmichael]

The longer they drag their heels and bow down to every objection the more likely the season will be voided, forget constantly asking for clubs to vote, make a [SwearFilter] decision and stick to it, every other league has done it, an absolute shambles, it's got to the point where I honestly dont expect anything to get sorted ever

[Hadrian]

137 pages now, can we get to 150 before they make a decision

Well we have got well past the 2000 posts without the Champagne and fireworks that I had been anticipating at that point.

[Suffolk Blue]

Might sound odd coming from me but I suggest we all just calm down a bit.

The National League is demonstrating what a few of us have always suspected ie. that they have no free will. The more they have discretion to make a decision the less able they are to make one. Clearly they were not the architects of the no play-offs at Step 2 proposal. They have been left holding the baby by the FA who has now bug*ered off. I very much doubt that HMG will be making any further comments on its "elite" sports guidelines either.

The NL now needs to take a breath, understand where it is and where it needs to be and put together a proposal that takes it at least to the next level. It needs to start reducing its problems and not trying to find a one-fits-all solution that also saves its reputation. That moment has passed. It also needs to realise that by embroiling itself in an argument about play-offs at Step 2 it is now causing potential problems at Step 1. By some inverse miracle it has got its priorities totally arse about face.

The irony is that both versions of the proposal (with/without play-offs at Step 2) probably would've been passed if offered. The way in which the NL has blundered through this however, combined with the lack of endorsement from either the FA or HMG means that it will come under serious pressure to issue the vote with Step 2 play-offs allowed for.

If they still wanted to think about the HMG guidance for longer, the NL could simply put a caveat into the proposal to the effect that acceptance of play-offs would be subject to no legal impediment to them being determined. Take a leaf out of the EFL book and set up a committee to reach a swift conclusion. At least that way the promotion issues out of the NL/NLN/NLS and the NL play-offs could be sanctioned and that part of the problem taken away.

Someone is going to have to hold the NLs hand though. They look increasingly like a rabbit caught in the headlights of an HGV bearing down on it.

[Jim]

For the occasional visitor who is struggling to make sense of this, can someone summarise the current situation in one paragraph? In particular, is there a decision this Tuesday or not?

[Hadrian]

BBCRC reporting that they understand not in the next day or two.

Decision and vote delayed.

Guess M'learned Friends will be busy...

[Jim]

I have just seen a piece in the Lytham Times, timed at 8 am this morning, that quotes Haythornthwaite saying he expects the vote to go through with no playoffs (he says that is "fairness"). It seems to imply a decision today or tomorrow. Is the reporter behind the curve?

[Adam29]

Yes that article will of been from an interview over the weekend - there has been no further correspondence from the NL and clubs haven’t had anything to vote on

[Alley_Cat]

For the occasional visitor who is struggling to make sense of this, can someone summarise the current situation in one paragraph? In particular, is there a decision this Tuesday or not?

No decision made

[Paul]

Utter shambles the NL management - how long to make a decision ??

[Stephen Leonard]

I have just seen a piece in the Lytham Times, timed at 8 am this morning, that quotes Haythornthwaite saying he expects the vote to go through with no playoffs (he says that is "fairness"). It seems to imply a decision today or tomorrow. Is the reporter behind the curve?

Quite simple really

Barrow are top of the league by any method suggested
EFL expect 2 teams to be promoted from NL and 1 relegated (subject to NL confirming they will start 20/21 season)
NL expect 2 teams to be promoted - Top club + one via the playoffs
NL (possibly with the 'guidance' of FA) said that only the NLN & NLS champions would be promoted via a Unweighted PPG model. Playoffs at NLN and NLS wouldnt happen because they are not 'elite' athletes under the Govt criteria
Several clubs and their MP's from NLN and NLS have questioned this interpretation of the Govt 'elite' athlete guidance and had correspondance saying the Govt didnt say the playoff couldnt happen and its down to the NL to decide if they are elite athletes.

A proposal to the clubs for voting on was meant to be issued Friday, then halted due to the 'elite' athlete issue
A revised proposal was meant to be sent to clubs on Sunday but has now seemingly been delayed again (possibly due to some legal people getting involved)

Sometime this week (possibly) their may be a proposal sent to clubs to vote on regarding how the promotion/relegation places are determined. If that passes then its all sorted (and the playoffs will then be arranged if that is part of the proposal that is passed)
If a proposal isnt passed then the alternative seems to be 'null and void' or an alternative proposal that no one has yet thought of

The clubs who seem most upset (for different but obvious reasons) are the teams in NLN & NLS who would contest a play off - and the 2nd and 3rd from bottom of NL who are saved from relegation if no playoffs but who would go down in play offs are held

Barrow fans interest is mainly because they want the season to be sorted so we can celebrate promotion (which seems 99.9% certain unless there is a null and void season - and even if that happened then we could be 'invited' by the EFL to fill the hole left by Burys demise last year)
The other major interest from Barrow fans seems to be wanting Fylde to be relegated because they dont like the club and chairman (when really they should be relegated on footballing grounds)

So as was the case months ago when this thread was a mere half dozen pages old the situation is that 'No decision' has been made yet and everything is mere speculation and over analysis mixed in with frustration and opinions with various people or organisations being blamed depending on the latest reason for a delay

The BIG question for me is -- when the decision is made and we are promoted (which I think we will be) - do we have another 40 pages on here to celebrate ? or do we start a new thread entitled 'Decison Made'?

[chipmunx]

I have just seen a piece in the Lytham Times, timed at 8 am this morning, that quotes Haythornthwaite saying he expects the vote to go through with no playoffs (he says that is "fairness"). It seems to imply a decision today or tomorrow. Is the reporter behind the curve?

Quite simple really

Barrow are top of the league by any method suggested
EFL expect 2 teams to be promoted from NL and 1 relegated (subject to NL confirming they will start 20/21 season)
NL expect 2 teams to be promoted - Top club + one via the playoffs
NL (possibly with the 'guidance' of FA) said that only the NLN & NLS champions would be promoted via a Unweighted PPG model. Playoffs at NLN and NLS wouldnt happen because they are not 'elite' athletes under the Govt criteria
Several clubs and their MP's from NLN and NLS have questioned this interpretation of the Govt 'elite' athlete guidance and had correspondance saying the Govt didnt say the playoff couldnt happen and its down to the NL to decide if they are elite athletes.

A proposal to the clubs for voting on was meant to be issued Friday, then halted due to the 'elite' athlete issue
A revised proposal was meant to be sent to clubs on Sunday but has now seemingly been delayed again (possibly due to some legal people getting involved)

Sometime this week (possibly) their may be a proposal sent to clubs to vote on regarding how the promotion/relegation places are determined. If that passes then its all sorted (and the playoffs will then be arranged if that is part of the proposal that is passed)
If a proposal isnt passed then the alternative seems to be 'null and void' or an alternative proposal that no one has yet thought of

The clubs who seem most upset (for different but obvious reasons) are the teams in NLN & NLS who would contest a play off - and the 2nd and 3rd from bottom of NL who are saved from relegation if no playoffs but who would go down in play offs are held

Barrow fans interest is mainly because they want the season to be sorted so we can celebrate promotion (which seems 99.9% certain unless there is a null and void season - and even if that happened then we could be 'invited' by the EFL to fill the hole left by Burys demise last year)
The other major interest from Barrow fans seems to be wanting Fylde to be relegated because they dont like the club and chairman (when really they should be relegated on footballing grounds)

So as was the case months ago when this thread was a mere half dozen pages old the situation is that 'No decision' has been made yet and everything is mere speculation and over analysis mixed in with frustration and opinions with various people or organisations being blamed depending on the latest reason for a delay

The BIG question for me is -- when the decision is made and we are promoted (which I think we will be) - do we have another 40 pages on here to celebrate ? or do we start a new thread entitled 'Decison Made'?

Well i think that eventually we will be announced as Champions Monday morning next week - purely because latest rumour has it that pubs with beer gardens will be opening then - so our fans will have somewhere to celebrate.....

[Suffolk Blue]

I have just seen a piece in the Lytham Times, timed at 8 am this morning, that quotes Haythornthwaite saying he expects the vote to go through with no playoffs (he says that is "fairness"). It seems to imply a decision today or tomorrow. Is the reporter behind the curve?

The man has a blog ready to go at any moment Jim. He likes to give you the impression not only that his views are relevant but that he is actually influencing outcomes. He often confuses being loud and persistent with being influential. Unlike the owner of Kings Lynn who's recent podcasts were designed to inform and communicate, the Fylde chairman always seem to start with his solution to a problem that he defines in his terms.

I'm sure that in his mind he'd want you to believe that he or his arguments, are the ones that are fuelling the debate and that if the proposal does have an outcome that says "no play-offs at Step 2" that it was he who was the driving force behind it, when we pretty much know that is not the case. In his enthusiasm to plead his case, any case, he tends to let slip what some might say is his more naked ambition.

Fylde have a lot to lose by going down. Therefore its owner has a lot to lose. He is not a guy that gives up. This has been said before. I doubt he is behind the events leading to this current impasse but it has given him a perfect platform.

I should also probably point out that more people in Lytham read the classified ads and obituaries that are glued to items of sporting debate.

[Bingo]

It's a poxy national league not the premier league if EFL can make decisions without feeling bullied

[whitty1969]

The National league have to follow suit with the EFL...end of.
Its tuff on big Dave, but if it was Barrow and we had been shit all season then we would have to accept it.
All this delay is nonsense and makes us look like Sunday league admin.
We waited for the EFL. They finally made a decision now follow that lead.

[Pedro]

The National league have to follow suit with the EFL...end of.
Its tuff on big Dave, but if it was Barrow and we had been shit all season then we would have to accept it.
All this delay is nonsense and makes us look like Sunday league admin.
We waited for the EFL. They finally made a decision now follow that lead.

Irrespective of what happen the National Board and Officials should be reviewed and some replaced.
It's symptomatic as with the Government they take the jobs but do not have the ability to do it.