STEP 2 CLUBS TO TABLE BIG PLANS
A PROPOSAL for an alternative Step 2 competition submitted by National League North and South clubs will go to the Football Association’s Alliance Committee this week.
Clubs are remaining tight-lipped on the exact details in the hope of giving the plans the best chance of approval from the authorities and allow them a shot at promotion. Ultimately, the decision lies in the hands of the FA. The National League will prepare a report on the proposal – and the initial resolution to null and void the season – for the FA’s Alliance Committee. Their decision is subsequently passed onto the full FA Council for ratification. A number of meetings have been held throughout the week with talks centred around the potential format with the suggestion it could be a merged competition with two promotion spots – automatic and play-offs – open to all clubs regardless of whether they voted to null and void the 2020-21 season. Talks also included thoughts on how points accrued during the now terminated campaign could be taken into account. Views of all clubs at Step 2 have been sought by the National League to see if they want to take part in the potential mini-league or, if not, if they support one taking place.
Roadmap
National League general manager Mark Ives, inset, told The NLP: “It’s important we consult with all the clubs and they have the opportunity to put their views in. “It’s being up front and transparent so the Alliance Committee can know the true position from all clubs.” The league will also gather the thoughts of clubs at Step 1 as part of the report. National League South sides Concord Rangers, Havant & Waterlooville and Hungerford Town have all indicated they don’t plan to take part. “Travelling to Fylde or Chorley or wherever just wouldn’t be viable for us,” Hungerford chairman Patrick Chambers told The NLP. “We’re quite happy to support the idea and if our colleagues want to play in that format for promotion then that’s fine with us.” Eastbourne Borough chairman David Blackmore hopes fellow member clubs will also show their support. He said: “We’re hopeful we can get the agreement of the National League board and all the other teams in Step 1 and 2 to allow this sporting resolution to happen. “We’ve come up with some innovative ideas for a route forward to go along with the roadmap coming out of lockdown. “We would ask all those clubs who don’t wish to participate that they would support us in our endeavours to find a sporting resolution in the same way that we supported them in their decision to not play.”