WE’LL TAKE THE BATTLE TO THE END
SOUTH SHIELDS chairman Geoff Thompson admits there will be “an awful lot of work to do” no matter what the outcome of the FA Council meeting is this week.
The Mariners are one of over 180 clubs that have added their names to a joint letter to the governing body seeking “constructive dialogue” over their decision to void the 201920 season for clubs in Steps 3 to 7 of the Non-League system.
That figure has swelled considerably from the 64 clubs that initially made contact with the FA in the aftermath of their controversial announcement last week.
The depth of support grew even deeper over the last seven days as League One clubs Lincoln City and Peterborough United and a number of MPs also threw their support behind the bid to get the FA to reconsider their decision.
Thompson, pictured inset, told The NLP that a number of County Football Associations and FA Council members have also shown sympathy towards the bid ahead of this week’s crucial meeting.
He said: “The figure is now approaching
200 and as much as I would love to, I can’t offer you an exact figure because it is changing by the hour.
“The numbers are increasing and there is broader support for everyone involved now. That’s not just from clubs, but from County FAs and FA Council members.
“We believe the decision is due on Tuesday and we just don’t know where it’s going to go, to be honest.
“But we are hoping we got our message over; we want a consistent approach across all levels of the game, and we want the FA to enter into constructive dialogue with clubs over the final decision. We just want to engage in a dialogue. “We have had support from all around the country, not just from clubs that are in with a chance of promotion, it is clubs throughout the pyramid.”
He continued: “I would like to think a decision on whether they will reconsider or ratify their decision will come late on Tuesday or very early on Wednesday morning.
“If they want to reconsider, there will be an awful lot of work to do – but obviously that’s the best outcome for everything involved.
Wellbeing
“If it’s upheld and ratified, then that’s another thing altogether and it will leave us to consider our next move. Either way there is a lot of work to do.”
Thompson addressed the online criticism that has been levelled at the conglomerate of clubs that are appealing to the FA.
Several clubs have been accused of putting their own interests ahead of more pressing matters as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage on worldwide, reaching its peak on UK shores.
Thompson, though, insists that no club or person involved in the bid is prioritising football over the current crisis.
“I must emphasise that people’s health and wellbeing must come first,” he added.
“We are not prioritising this over anybody’s health because there are more important things going on right now.
“I have seen the criticism on social media, some has been directed at me personally, some at the club and some at other clubs too.
“People are entitled to their opinions and I respect that – but we are just saying, at some point, football will return and we want to be ready to return with a decision that respects clubs at all levels of the game.”