League Two facing non-League merger
SOME chairmen at lower league clubs have had preliminary discussions about a radical restructuring of the divisions that would merge League Two and the National League on a regional basis and turn them into League Two North and League Two South.
The plans, which are still at a tentative stage, would mean there were five divisions in English football’s Premier League and EFL pyramid for the first time and would boost shattered finances by swelling attendances through more local derbies in each club’s fixtures, as well as creating massive savings in travelling costs.
The lower leagues have been gripped by uncertainty about the way to exit the coronavirus crisis. League Two clubs voted on Friday to end the season now on a points per game basis, although its plan to scrap relegation is unlikely to be approved by the FA.
The new idea would mean no relegation from League Two this season and no promotion from the National League. At a time when there is still uncertainty about when the lower leagues will be able to return and which clubs will survive, the plan provides a framework for a new era of sustainability.
There are already suggestions the divisions below the Premier League will be subject to a salary cap next season as English football reacts to the coronavirus crisis, to effect a reset of club’s finances and end the destructive cycle of debt that was afflicting so many clubs.
The new regionalised plans would accelerate that process of recovery.
The Championship and League One, meanwhile, are set for D-Day votes this week to determine how to end their seasons.
League Two voted to end the season on a points per game basis, with a play-off tournament for promotion but without relegating the bottom club Stevenage.
The EFL are likely to present the two unresolved divisions with a series of options, such as playing on, or ending the season now but continuing with the play-offs, or ending the season now with the top three to go up.
Clubs will vote until they have reached a 50 per cent majority on one option.
The additional costs of testing players means it is likely that only the Championship will restart.
Even there, opinion is divided but, with Premier League clubs such as Norwich suggesting it would be unfair to promote clubs if the top flight concludes and the Championship does not, there may be a will to play on to ensure the principle of promotion is not compromised.
And in order to maintain sporting integrity of promotion and relegation, essential to the EFL if they want three clubs to be promoted to the Premier League this season, it is unlikely that League Two’s indicative vote to save Stevenage will ultimately be upheld.
The EFL will vote on the final decisions and there is little chance they will spare clubs relegation, as it would allow the Premier League to argue they could follow.
There is also a suggestion that parachute payments to relegated clubs could be extended to those going down into League One, League Two and the National League.