‘A great idea’ ... ‘a big ask’ ... HPL bosses have say on cup proposal
‘Safety is paramount and some football is better than none’
Hampshire Premier League top flight clubs have given a general ‘thumbs up’ to curtailing the 2020/21 season and the launching of a Supplementary League Cup competition.
All 31 member clubs received a document from the league last Friday on their plans and they have until this Friday to give their verdicts on the ideas put forward.
Should HPL clubs approve of the tournament, it would be held in a Champions League style format with seven groups of four teams and one group of three teams.
Teams would play each other home and away with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout stages.
Group 1: Sway, Lyndhurst, Infinity, QK Southampton.
Group 2: Clarendon, Michelmersh, Netley, Broughton.
Group 3: Stockbridge, Andover New Street Swifts, Silchester, Overton.
Group 4: Kingsclere, South Wonston, Winchester Castle.
Group 5: Colden Common, Upham, Bush Hill, Chamberlayne.
Group 6: Locks Heath, Moneyfields Reserves, Fleetlands, Hayling United.
Group 7: Paulsgrove, Harvest, Clanfield, Denmead.
Group 8: Liss Athletic, AFC Petersfield, Liphook, Headley.
The News contacted managers at Hampshire Premier League clubs in this paper’s circulation area to gage some reaction to the proposal and the possibility of a second successive season being ended prematurely.
Here, we get some thoughts from five Senior Division clubs.
Paulsgrove manager Wayne Grant ‘It is something we welcome.
‘We’re a bit disappointed with the way we were going in the league (Grove had won nine and drawn one of their 10 games) that it’s come to this, but safety is paramount and some football is better than none.
'It is what it is, it’s annoying, but we’re just going to use this tournament as a pre pre-season as such.
'We’re going to go into it but, because they’ve curtailed the season, I will be using all 44 players I’ve got signed on for the ressies and things like that.
‘We will be using the competition itself to have a look at the squads rather than the first team. At the end of the day we’re a squad, it’s not them and us.'
Hayling United boss Dan Bishop
‘As a club, I don’t think we have any choice for the players’ sanity but to accept it, so we will.
'Do I think it’s a good idea? Partly, but it is going from no football in three months to six games in three weeks. It’s a big ask.
‘But going out on runs or doing bits and pieces alone is nothing like playing football. There’s no twisting, no turning, no impact.
‘I just think it’s a bit much but the positive is we’re back and playing football and all the lads are buzzing about it.
‘Fingers crossed nothing goes wrong and this proves to be a brilliant idea.'
Locks Heath assistant manager Jon Whitfield
'There was no other option, there was no other way that league was going to be finished in the time span that we had left.
‘We’re quite looking forward to it (Supplementary Cup).
‘There are different ways it could have been handled, but it is what it is.
‘It gives everybody competitive football and the lads are just looking forward to getting back and playing
some games.'
Infinity caretaker manager and joint owner Jody Hoare ‘The curtailment was inevitable unless you could complete the season.
‘In light of that, this cup competition keeps you playing, the lads are obviously itching to play.
‘Some may see it as needless football but I think everyone needs football.
‘It’s not just for the lads to get back playing but for peoples' mental well-being.
‘A lot of people have realised it really affects them, how much football is a part of their lives - playing or not playing.'
Clanfield manager Lee Blakely ‘On a personal level, I don’t think the season could have continued; curtailing the season was the right call.
‘It’s encouraging to see this cup, it’s a great idea.
‘The players will be buzzing to just get back playing football after three months off.
‘It’s very welcome that this cup is going to happen - I think it will get voted in - and we can go from there.'
I will be using all 44 players I’ve got signed on ... we’re a squad, it’s not them and us Paulsgrove boss Wayne Grant