Skelmersdale United in play-off quandary
SKELMERSDALE United have qualified for the promotion play off due to be held on Saturday 30th April and they know that it will be an away game.
However they are left in a complete quandary as to who their opponents will be and probably won’t know the answer until at least Saturday 23rd April.
The problem is caused by the North West Counties League season finishing on Saturday 2nd April, when the leagues that their potential opponents are in only finish on Saturday 23rd April.
The other problem is that some teams will avoid the play offs and some won’t – that is decided on a points per game (PPG) basis.
The situation leaves Skelmersdale United in something of a quandary, they can only speculate as to which team they will play and it could be in the South of England.
Our Skelmersdale United reporter Kevin Panther has investigated the position and he has written an article on the promotion situation between Step 5 (where Skelmersdale currently are) and Step 4 (the Northern Premier League).
And The Football Association who are administering the play offs have said that they will try to fix up clubs with their nearest opponents.
Kevin writes: “It could be an actual minefield for Skem Utd as they look forward to their Play-off match, scheduled for 30th April.
“With most Leagues finishing on Saturday 23rd April, United will not know for definite who they will face until the Sunday, giving just five days to organize what could be a very long trip indeed.
“As it stands Skem will not be automatically promoted, as they are currently 16th of the equivalent step 5 league runners-up. It is not out of the question but they would need the 7 teams above to lose all their remaining games, which is highly unlikely, so who will they face?
“Now you need your calculator, slide rule, thesaurus and a good sat nav.
“As it stands Newcastle Town (Potteries) from the NPL (West) which would be our preferred opponents are just outside the Play-off places on PPG, they could, if results don’t go their way find themselves in a Play-Off match, that would require a mere 54 miles journey.
“Which leaves Sheffield (or equivalent in NPL (East) as the nearest, but both Consett (Northern League) and Eccleshill (North East Counties) would be closer to Sheffield, so would probably get preference.
“Histon (Cambridgeshire) NPL Midlands are a possibility, being Northern Premier League territory but as above, both Consett and Eccleshill are nearer, should one of these make the automatic promotion spot then Skem could find themselves travelling to the outskirts of Cambridge, a nice round trip of 380 miles.
“Should Consett and Eccleshill have to go through the Play-offs then the next nearest for United would be either Kempston Rovers (Bedfordshire) or Hertford Town (Hertfordshire) of the Southern League Central Division.
“No don’t laugh, as it stands this would be Skelmersdale’s destination. Kempston are in the relegation spot but have a far easier run in than Hertford Town. Distance to Kempston 171 miles, to Hertford 196 miles.
“Some journey to organize with just basically five days notice.”
Another problem for Skelmersdale might be the distance involved as it is understood that FA rules will probably prevent them putting a claim in for an overnight stay for the team, which might be preferable in an extreme distance case.
United have started some of the planning required for their play-off match, they are taking bookings for a supporters coach to the game, however although it is something of a mystery tour they are taking bookings, they will require the fare at the time of booking and advise that will be returned if the coach doesn’t run.
There is a deadline on the bookings, you are advised to contact 07949 582262.
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