Regionalise leagues, or face a crisis
WITH all the talk of football returning in the top two English divisions, the fat cats are rubbing their hands.
Now, they don’t give a jot about Non-League football but it’s time that those who govern the lower leagues got its house in order and looked after itself with common sense, above all else, coming into play to make sure grass roots football clubs survive.
For me, the only way to do this is to revert back to a regional structure.
I propose that Leagues One and Two go back to North and South divisions, as per the 1950s.
At the same time, the National League, North and South, at Steps 1 and 2, should come together again to produce a regional division with winners of both sections going up automatically to the EFL model, plus one more through the play-offs.
As a result, this should create a lot more local derbies, thus ensuring more revenue for clubs and less travelling costs.
I am aware that will pull together full-time clubs against part time but is that not what football is all about, David v Goliath scenarios?
It will take a season or two for it to sort itself out so you work towards a five-year plan? Then, if it doesn’t work, it’s easy to revert back, nothing has been lost.
For example, Merthyr Town are a lovely little football club, who have really been through the mill over the years. This Covid-19 crisis has hit them really hard and they, like a lot of clubs, could very well go to the wall if nothing is done – and quickly.
Another problem is the uncertainty of when the 2020-21 season will start.
How can part-time clubs play 40-plus games if it doesn’t start until Christmas? The simple answer is they can’t, so why not now trial something now?
Let’s just say NonLeague football doesn’t start until December and has to finish by May.
Above, I have used the 20 Step 4 clubs in the Southern League as an example. Why not split them? A normal, they all play each other twice but travelling costs are significantly reduced.
Yes, I agree that Group B may have a little more travelling than Group A but it’s a restructure which could work.
I suggest the winners of each league go up and with second and third clubs playing off over two legs for a place in the final at a neutral venue.
It’s just an idea but it is surely something that could be rolled out through any leagues for the next two or three seasons.
We need to try and regionalise our football to save clubs from going bust. PAUL WILLETTS
Abergavenny