Covid roadmap is key to FA decision
THE recent survey undertaken by clubs at non-league steps 3 and 4 across the country was completed by 224 of the 226 teams competing.
The FA Alliance Committee (steps 3 and 4) and the Leagues Committee (steps 5 and 6) held discussions on Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th February.
During discussions, the Committees acknowledged the likelihood that the Prime Minister will set out a ‘roadmap’ to the nation on 22 February as to how Government intend to begin to reduce the current Covid-19 restrictions.
Given that any such update from the Government may provide the Committees with additional, relevant information to help determine the preferred route forward, they have agreed to reconvene after this date.
In addition, the Alliance Committee are also conscious of the ongoing process the National League (Steps 1 & 2) are undertaking and the potential impact this could have on any actions the Committee may choose to take.
The Pitching In Northern Premier League Chairman Mark Harris added: “We hope this roadmap will include clarification of when nonelite football can resume, and under what conditions.
“We can then decide upon the outcome of the 2020/21 season. No-one wants to delay this any longer than necessary.
“The pandemic has brought out the best – and worst – in people.
“It has taught us all new lessons and reinforced others that we already knew. It would be naive to assume that there will not be any further disruption next season, so we must plan for that disruption. The Trident Leagues (NPL, Southern and Isthmian which run steps 3 & 4) are already looking at how to create the necessary flexibility in the 2021/22 programme to deal with any disruption. These steps may include starting the 2021/22 season earlier and planning fixtures differently to make it much easier to implement an alternate competition should circumstances demand.
“Obviously, the outcome of the season will also have a major bearing on whether the NLS can be re-structured ahead of next season. Hopefully, the situation will be much clearer by the end of this month.”
The next step regarding how this season will end will probably be released before the end of February, although the longer this process continues, the hope of playing again in the near future recedes even further.
A spokeman for Ramsbottom United said: “Ramsbottom United, and all other clubs in nonleagues steps 3 to 6 will await the FA’s decision with interest.”
Should another “null and void” be the outcome, for the second season running, the Rams would be denied what would have been a deserved promotion. Out of the last 26 league games played (second half of last season and the start of this) the team had won 20, drawn four and lost just two.
Promotion form without a doubt and tough to take for the Rams.