Decisions being made

[Lancaster Branch]

Abandoning the League Cup, any FA Cup replays at all, every international game and all mid-season friendlies for the next 2-3 years will help get it all back on track without the footballers whining that they are 'tired'.

I think international friendlies will be slimmed down, qualifiers will go ahead as tournaments are just too lucrative.

Unless health advice says tournaments are a no-go for years...?

[blue nige]

Why tomorrow? This will rumble on for a while yet.

Thought board meeting tomorrow?

He's saying that because unless they've talked to the EFL nothing can be decided.

[olbarrafancumbak]

I think we all just want this sorting and putting to bed now!!

No club in the country can plan ahead, sort players out etc etc
Just crown us champions as we thoroughly deserve it and tell us we have finally made it back where we belong!!

[Suffolk Blue]

The obvious problem with no relegation from NL and only Barrow going up (to replace Bury) is that there are two feeder leagues below the NL. How would you decide whether the club that is promoted to the NL to replace Barrow should come from NLN or NLS?

Assuming that play-offs are a long shot, NL would probably have to spend a season as a division of 23 with feeder leagues at 24. As you've probably worked out the big problem will come the season after trying to re-balance. By and large football associations dont seem to like odd numbers and this may be one reason why.

From a selfish perspective none up or two up is easier for the NL to deal with. Because of the Bury situation, one up seems to be the minimum if not the most likely scenario. This is the one that will give the NL the biggest headache.

[chipmunx]

The obvious problem with no relegation from NL and only Barrow going up (to replace Bury) is that there are two feeder leagues below the NL. How would you decide whether the club that is promoted to the NL to replace Barrow should come from NLN or NLS?

Assuming that play-offs are a long shot, NL would probably have to spend a season as a division of 23 with feeder leagues at 24. As you've probably worked out the big problem will come the season after trying to re-balance. By and large football associations dont seem to like odd numbers and this may be one reason why.

From a selfish perspective none up or two up is easier for the NL to deal with. Because of the Bury situation, one up seems to be the minimum if not the most likely scenario. This is the one that will give the NL the biggest headache.

the feeder leagues are 22 teams at present with plans to go to 24 - so there would be no issues with NLN or NLS when things are re-balanced

[blue nige]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/footbal ... ssion=true

Not good reading.

[Suffolk Blue]

the feeder leagues are 22 teams at present with plans to go to 24 - so there would be no issues with NLN or NLS when things are re-balanced

Yes I'd forgotten that. Although there is still the odds to even change to make. The problem is simply passed down to the NLS/NLN. Still be quite messy but easier to deal with if there is an expectation of expansion anyway.

[Suffolk Blue]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/footbal ... ssion=true

Not good reading.

No. On the hand I think you'll find that by Sunday we will be working to a modified set of rules on social distancing.

[Jim]

The more comments I read in the press, the more I am inclined to the view that the whole 2019-2020 football season at all levels should be declared over and the efforts of the various governing bodies should be devoted to agreeing the least worst outcome regarding promotion and relegation.

Having said that, looking at the various, and often conflicting, bits of medical opinion, I also think that at some point we all have to accept that the virus is going to be around for a long time, that probably many more people are/have been infected than the figures show, without any serious symptoms, and therefore we must all resume normal life and accept the risk of infection.

IMO, the past season should be concluded ASAP, teams should know where they will be playing next season and can plan accordingly, and next season should resume in September, or at latest October, with no restrictions.

[Suffolk Blue]

That's the sensible suggestion Jim. I think were it not for the commercial and media implications that is what they would have done already.

[Jonty]

I think the whole emphasis will soon move away from promotion / relegation matters as it is becoming more apparent every day that there is unlikely to be any spectator attended sport for some considerable time.

[Middleton Nick]

I think the whole emphasis will soon move away from promotion / relegation matters as it is becoming more apparent every day that there is unlikely to be any spectator attended sport for some considerable time.

Also which clubs come out of it intact on the other side. It's looking pretty grim for the future.

[Hitthebar22]

The more comments I read in the press, the more I am inclined to the view that the whole 2019-2020 football season at all levels should be declared over and the efforts of the various governing bodies should be devoted to agreeing the least worst outcome regarding promotion and relegation.

Having said that, looking at the various, and often conflicting, bits of medical opinion, I also think that at some point we all have to accept that the virus is going to be around for a long time, that probably many more people are/have been infected than the figures show, without any serious symptoms, and therefore we must all resume normal life and accept the risk of infection.

IMO, the past season should be concluded ASAP, teams should know where they will be playing next season and can plan accordingly, and next season should resume in September, or at latest October, with no restrictions.

There is absolutely no chance of spectator presence at football in 2020, virtually no chance of football.

[Suffolk Blue]

I think the whole emphasis will soon move away from promotion / relegation matters as it is becoming more apparent every day that there is unlikely to be any spectator attended sport for some considerable time.

Also which clubs come out of it intact on the other side. It's looking pretty grim for the future.

This. Especially if no paying customers and no additional financial settlement this side of January. Its not only well run community based clubs at risk either. The speed with which Chairman Dave at Fylde has started reducing his personal funding of Fylde may be indicative of what wealthier owners are likely to do to protect their personal wealth. No club will be safe.

[Hadrian]

Today's Emma Barnett Show - presented this morning by Chloe Tilley - has a good segment from 2h05 on football, with Ian Dennis. Largely considering the PL, there is a consideration of the FL and brief mention of the NL and Barrow.

Worth a listen.