League chief: ‘Our preferred option was to wait and see’
BURSCOUGH refused to comment when asked if they would consider adding their name to a 60-strong open letter addressed to the Football Association countering the decision to null and void steps 3-6 of the non-league system.
Linnets currently face the prospect of having their results and records from the campaign expunged due to the coronavirus pandemic which has halted football across the globe.
The FA made the surprise move to null and void the season last week despite some leagues - including the North West Counties [NWCFL] - being 30 matches into the campaign.
Vauxhall Motors, who had already sealed promotion from the NWCFL First Division South, added their name to the initial list of 62 signatures accompanying the letter as well as Bootle, Lower Breck and AFC Liverpool.
The latter three clubs would all have been promoted on a pointsper-game basis at this stage.
“Our concern is grounded primarily in the needless and inexplicable haste exercised in reaching the decision, coupled with a total lack of substantive dialogue or consultation with affected clubs,” the three-page document reads.
“The decision also disregards the millions of pounds invested and countless hours expended collectively by clubs, and so has critical financial implications.”
The FA are also asked why the National League was not affected by the ruling.
“How can the FA possibly justify treating different steps under the non-league banner differently?” the letter continues. “It is incomprehensible to treat leagues differently; you cannot undermine the integrity of the footballing pyramid by applying a different set of rules to one group and not the others.”
Popular Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, chairman of Biggleswade United in the Spartan South Midlands Football League, was another to add his signature.
THE North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) chairman Paul Lawler has questioned the decision made by the Football Association last week to null and void the non-league campaign at steps 3-6.
Skelmersdale United have therefore had all results and records expunged from their season and will now await guidance on when the new term will begin as the country fights against the coronavirus pandemic.
In a letter submitted to the FA, Lawler said: “We feel that the decision has been done hastily without the proper consultation and there has been a severe lack of transparency in the process, leaving more questions than it does answers.
“Our preferred option was to wait and see what happens and allow the season to be completed at a later date, if the timescales allow.
“It is our duty to protect our clubs and we felt that the resumption of competitive football as soon as physically possible was the best solution for all involved.
“That said, none of us know when this is going to end, but we could have deferred the decision to end the season to a later date when it becomes clearer.
“Instead it was declared that the decision had already been made to end the season with immediate effect.
“My Board and our clubs would like more clarity on how this decision was made, and by whom, as there is confusion about exactly when this was made and with which stakeholders.”
Lawler posed six questions that he believes need answering after the unprecedented move to null and void the entire season.
He asks if the FA will be compensating leagues and clubs for financial losses like season ticket refunds as well as a solution to who will be allocated FA Cup qualifying places.
“Will all discipline records from this season be carried over to next and will clubs be refunded by The FA/County FAs for all discipline matters and costs?” Lawler adds.
“Will playing contracts be cancelled with immediate effect as a result as if they didn’t exist in the first place?”
Skelmersdale were 15th in the NWCFL Premier Division when the decision was made to end the campaign.