IT LOOKS LIKE A LANDSLIDE!
Will it be yes to big play-off shake-up?
THE National League’s radical promotion shake-up looks to be a vote winner, if The NLP’s early exit poll is anything to go by.
As General Election fever sweeps the country, the battle for No.10 is not the only big decision to be made this week.
Next season could see play-off places in Non-League’s top three divisions extended from four clubs to six under controversial proposals put forward – although the idea has come in for criticism on social media.
But member clubs are the ones who decided at the league’s AGM at Celtic Manor next weekend.
Ahead of the vote we canvassed opinion and of the seven clubs we selected at random, six said they would be voting to accept the idea which would see the league “trailblazing new ground” from this August.
Weston-super-Mare told us the idea is a “total no-brainer”, while Hungerford Town manager Bobby Wilkinson asked: “Who wouldn’t vote yes?”
THERE’S not a polling station in sight, no May v Corbyn duel to the death for No.10 and no political firestorm to fan the flames. But the outcome of the General Election is not the only big-debate decision coming your way next week.
A wind of change could be about to blow through NonLeague football as well as government with a huge shake up to the promotion landscape to be decided.
We will soon know if the three National League divisions will undergo a radical transformation – with six play-off places across the board being proposed instead of four.
Clubs will vote on the idea during Saturday’s AGM at Celtic Manor before an announcement on the big changes is made public.
Benefits
The NLP’s early poll points towards member clubs passing through the idea.
The majority of clubs we have spoken to see the benefits – despite the idea to revolutionise the Non-League promotion picture coming in for criticism on social media.
If the plans are voted in, the champions will, of course, go up automatically, with the second and third place clubs instantly securing a place in the semifinals.
The other two semi-final places will go to the winners of fourth vs seventh and fifth vs sixth in one-leg ties.
The semi-finals will also be just one leg at the ground of the team who finished higher, before the final at Wembley – or, in the case of the National League North and South, hosted by the team that ended the season with the most points.
National League chief executive Michael Tattersall says the changes are “attractive” – and many of his competition’s clubs seem to agree with him.
Weston-super-Mare boss Scott Bartlett said: “For us, it’s a total no-brainer and I think most clubs who want to progress will see it the same way.
“It opens up a lot of opportu- nities and there’s no doubt in my mind that for clubs the size of ours who haven’t got the finances to be competing for titles, this is a bold but positive step. We’re right behind it.”
His Hungerford counterpart Bobby Wilkinson agrees, saying: “Who is going to say no to it? We’re not and I think the more clubs that are given the chance to compete, the better.
“Although I believe it should be the top two going up, I don’t think we’ll ever see that happen.”
Maidenhead United have won promotion into the National League and their chairman Peter Griffin says his club are edging towards a yes vote in south Wales.
Ambition
“If you had asked me last year when we were going for the National League South title, my answer would have been different,” he said. “But for any club whose ambition would be to try and reach the play-offs, then they will see this as a step towards helping them achieve that goal.
“The financial side of it could be big. Interest in seasons will be extended and that can only be good news for chairmen!”
Dean Brennan, the Hemel Hempstead manager, says it’s a yes from the Tudors. “It gives clubs like Hemel an opportunity to have a more realistic chance of achieving success,” he said. “A smaller club like ours is all for it.”
Concord Rangers chairman Ant Smith said: “We will probably go with a yes as it keeps the season alive for more clubs.”
The National League’s media & partnership support director Colin Peake said: “Ultimately, the decision rests with the clubs. If the members want to try it, let’s try it.
“The FA have approved the changes, but everything has to be rubber-stamped and everything gets properly debated.
“Clubs have already discussed it twice, it has been on the agenda before. This whole idea has been displayed and discussed at the AGM last year and a further discussion was had at the EGM in January.”
Tattersall added: “The National League will be trailblazing new ground next season. There is no doubting the popularity of the play-offs and while there is always healthy debate about their fairness, the highs and the lows felt are unique.
“With six places, more clubs will qualify which will only increase interest. More will be incentivised in the final months of the season.”