PLAY-OFFS FINALLY GET GO-AHEAD
PLAY-OFF hopefuls in the National League have had the expectations laid out for them to compete in this season’s final promotion race.
The knockout stage was given the green light after the Ordinary Resolution to complete the season with unweighted Points Per Game was sent out on Monday and subsequently passed by a majority.
Play-offs at Step 2 had been in doubt but, over last weekend, clubs in the North and South pushed for the belief that government guidance wouldn’t allow them to take place at that level to be revisited by the National League.
They argued they should be considered ‘elite’ because players derive a living from playing football.
On Friday, the clubs had a video call with league chiefs to outline what will happen next and to get a picture of what the requirements and costs will be.
The National League haven’t had any indication, so far, of any clubs not willing to participate in the playoffs, although some, like Chester (see below), will be having their own internal discussions before committing. No deadline has been set but the expectation would be to know quickly if any clubs are having thoughts other than participating.
Clubs will need to complete a week of Stage 1 of the Return to Training protocols – non-contact – before progressing into contact training.
Notts County have already started with small groups. Their players have had to pick up all their kit for the coming weeks that they will have to wash at home and eat their recovery meals in their cars rather than sit in a group.
Testing will be carried out regularly each week with clubs able to source their own company to administer them. Players and staff will be required to have antigen tests – if you currently have Covid-19 – and antibody tests, which signifies if you’ve already had it. Clubs will also have to appoint a designated Covid officer as well as a medical officer to ensure everything will be safe inside grounds.
Clubs have been asked to show the National League their plans as soon as possible with Notts County offering to share their template to assist others.
The play-offs will be played behind closed doors with the Step 1 promotion final at a neutral ground.
BT Sport are already due to show the Step 1 play-offs live and there is a chance they will try to take on the Step 2 ones as well, despite their Premier League commitments.
Because of these, no dates are set in stone. The last two weekends of July are likely for Step 2 with the finals on August 1. The National League eliminator games are likely to be in midweek.
Another sticking point is of new player registrations. They will be treated much in the same way as emergency goalkeeper signatures are treated around cup competitions on a case by case basis. But clubs are very unlikely to be allowed to parachute new signings in just to strengthen.