How League One clubs will vote in crunch EFL decision
Sunderland may have to wait another week to learn their League One fate but the picture is becoming clearer as to how clubs will vote.
The EFL proposed its framework for ending the current season last week insisting that it remained their desire for the campaign to finish, but it also paved the way for third-tier clubs to reject a resumption.
A 51% majority would be enough to settle the table on a points-per-game formula but before the vote can be held the framework must be approved.
It appears likely a firm decision will be made within the next week.
We’ve spoken to reporters that cover a number of third tier clubs to see how they are set to vote and it shows nine are firmly in favour of playing on, 11 in favour of ending the season and three as yet undecided, suggesting those clubs currently on the fence will have the deciding vote.
LEAGUE ONE VOTING – Options - Play on, End season, or Go With the Flow.
COVENTRY CITY – Likely vote: End season
Coventry are deservedly in pole position and, unsurprisingly, they won’t want to risk that by resuming fixtures.
"We believe that the situation should be dealt with the same way as a number of other countries have ," said CEO Dave Boddy.
"France have produced a finaltable on average points per game and I believe Scotland have done something similar, so the mechanism is there.”
ROTHERHAM UNITED – Likely vote: End season
Unsurprisingly with Rotherham second in the table and set for automatic promotion, they are happy to call it quits.
Manager Paul Warne said: “I think that any team who was in our or Coventry’s position would expect and demand an automatic promotion.”
OXFORD UNITED – Likely vote: Play on
Oxford’s managing director Niall McWilliams said: “We have said all along that we think the fairest way to decide the league is by playing matches, always with the proviso that it is done with the health and safety of our players and staff as the priority.”
PORTSMOUTH – Likely vote: Play on
Portsmouth’s chief executive Mark Catlin has been consistent in his view that the season should be resumed.
He said :“It’ s a difficult situation but we continue to press with a number of other clubs to actually finish the season on the pitch, under government guidelines and when safe to do so. We have been consistent in that view.”
FLEETWOOD TOWN – Likely vote: Play on
Joey Barton has championed the resumption of fixtures and though his club’s play-off place is secured, the Fleetwood boss is still keen to get his players out on the pitch.
“We have to return to normality because if we don’t, then at some point the economy will fail and the football economy is already creaking now,” he said.
“We’ve got to get moving is my take. I’ m happy to take that calculated risk based on everything I’ve been told about testing and about the distancing in place.”
PETERBOROUGH UNITED – Likely vote: Play on
Darragh MacAnthony has been among the most vocal on the subject of resuming the campaign and remains firmly of the belief football should be resumed when safe to do so.
He has, however, withdrawn his threat to take legal action against clubs who vote to end the season. “I did legal advice, as did many clubs, as it’s the sensible thing to do in business,” he said.
SUNDERLAND – Likely vote: Play on
Sunderland can only be promoted in one scenario, and that’s if the season is completed on the pitch.
The club’s CEO also believes his players want to resume competitive football to prove they can earn contracts for next season.
“Our players that Phil( Park in son) is in daily contact with, want to play ,” said Jim Rod well. “They' re professional footballers. They want to play football.
“I listened to Chris Wilder and he was right, the majority want to get back to playing.
“I think there's an important point here that's slightly getting missed, specifically in League One and League Two. We've got hundreds of players out of contract.
“Those players need to play the last eight, nine games to showcase their talent and earn contracts.”
IPSWICH TOWN – Likely vote: Play on
The Blues have consistently stated their desire to play out the remaining games of the season, with owner Marcus Evans writing to EFL chairman Rick Parry recently to make his feelings clear.
GILLNGHAM–Likelyvote: Play on
There have been some mixed messages from the Gills with manager Steve Evans happy to continue but chairman Paul Scally concerned about how much it will cost.
BRISTOLROVERS–Likely vote: Play on
There has been no official word from the club over their stance and likely direction but is also a strong sense of ideology being considered; that they are a football club, and a football club is designed to play matches for its supporters.
TRANMERE ROVERS – Likely vote: Play on
Tranmere’s chairman Mark Palioshasv owed to fight any decision to decide the season on points per game, which would relegate his club.
"It is a hard-earned League One status that we will not just give away. It is more than the cash ,” he said ." It is actually the pride of being a League One club. It is having the games against the likes, with all due respect to League Two, of Sunderland and Ipswich. That is what all the fans actually like."
Other clubs that are likely to want the season to be concluded are Bolton Wanderers, AFC Wimbledon, Rochdale, Accrington Stanley, Shrewsbury Town, Lincoln City, Blackpool, Burton Albion, Wycombe Wanderers,
Teams that are undecided are South end United, Doncaster Rover sandMKD ons.