FA verdict is double blow for Linnets Men and table-topping women have all results scrubbed
RUNCORN Linnets suffered a double blow after the Football Association declared the non-league season null and void at steps 3-7 of both the male and female game last week.
Local clubs such as Vauxhall Motors and Lower Breck have since rallied against the decision by adding their name to a 60-strong open letter addressed to the FA countering the ruling.
Runcorn 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.
Michael Ellison’s men’s team were mid-table in the BetVictor North West Division after narrowly missing out on the play-offs last term but John Pickering had led his women to the summit of their respective division.
In a statement released to the club website regarding the FA decision Linnets said: “Unfortunately, this directly affects Runcorn Linnets Ladies, who are comfortably leading the seventhtier Cheshire Women’s League Premier Division. It’s a bitter blow for manager John Pickering, coaching staff and players who have put so much time and effort into what had been a highly successful season but will not now have chance to go up.”
Last week’s FA statement read: “We have been working collaboratively with the National League System, the women’s football pyramid and the wider grassroots game since the outbreak of COVID-19 on how to conclude the 2019-20 season in the most appropriate way possible.
“These are challenging circumstances for English football and all decisions taken are in the best interests of the game and in consultation across key stakeholders.
“Our primary concern will always be for the safety and welfare of clubs, players, staff, officials, volunteers and supporters during this unprecedented time.
“Today’s steps take into account the financial impact during this uncertain period, whilst considering the fairest method on how the sporting outcomes for the season will be decided with the integrity of the leagues in mind.”