I’ve accepted dreams of promotion are over
DID I say that by now we’d all know what the end of the season would look like? Just when I thought it was all sorted, up pops a curve ball and it’s a case of two steps forward, one step back!
The EFL made a decision to end their season with either Stevenage, being bottom of the pile, or Macclesfield, again not paying wages and so face a point deduction, being relegated (I know who I’d prefer).
As a result the National League had their meeting and decided PPG was the fairest way to resolve our predicament, there was to be relegation and promotion out of our division but then it got confusing as the National North and South were to be treated differently.
I think we, as County supporters, knew that Barnet would be given our play-off spot and given that the leagues above us had opted for the same scenario I haven’t any axe to grind, it’s annoying but I believe we’ll come back stronger and win automatic promotion next season.
The National League has been given permission to hold play-offs while the North and South haven’t which means Chorley are relegated and King’s Lynn, second in the North, and Wealdstone, first in the South are promoted, (one down and two up to cover the Bury vacancy).
But hold on, Chorley are relegated? Now I’ve no love for the Magpies at all but surly it’s wrong, the ONLY team in non-league football to be relegated are the team from Victory Park.
If it was the end of the season four teams would go, so if the season has effectively been ended in March why isn’t there four teams relegated and four teams promoted now?
It’s crazy and the Board of the National League have dug themselves a really big hole that they’ll struggle to get out of.
York, who finished top of the Northern Division, and Havant and Waterlooville, who finished second in the South, have already forwarded amendments that seem to be getting some support from all three divisions. The only winners will be the lawyers - mark my words ‘it’ll end in tears’.
On a personal note I found myself furloughed last Monday and with time on my hands I decided to join that happy breed, ‘Help The Hatters’, at Edgeley Park for two days.
First thing to mention is that the pitch looks beautiful. Mike and his team are doing a great job with it.
On Tuesday I was sweeping up the Vernon Stand - I can’t believe it took the length of time it did but by 2.30 all five blocks were done. Toilets were being painted and the Railway End had been jet-washed.
On Friday it was all hands to the painting. The Railway End steps were all done yellow, advertising boards were blue while the Main Stand walkway was being done in grey, all on a cup of tea and a tin of biscuits. It was a great atmosphere and a feeling of a job well done. I think I’ll be back again this week.