Wearside League offers clubs option to withdraw
The Wearside League have taken the unprecedented move to make a one-time offer to clubs allowing them to withdraw from the league this season without any penalties.
T h e l ea g ue re l ea s e d a statement setting out the c u r re nt s tate o f p l ay a s a number of their member clubs prepare to return to action this weekend.
Annfield Plain, Boldon CA, Chester-le-Street United, Norton and Stockton Ancients, Silksworth CW and West Auckland Tunns have stated their desire to continue playing behind closed doors.
Four other clubs – Darlington RA, Gateshead Leam Rangers, Horden CW and Farringdon Detached – have confirmed that they wish to wait until after the government’s next tier review before deciding what action to take.
However, six other clubs are not willing to play fixtu re s w i th out s p e c tato r s
and will have their games suspended until December 16, with games scheduled for three days later now subject to the outcome of the tier review.
Those clubs are Darlington Town, Wolviston, Washington United, FC Hartlepool, Coxhoe Athletic and Durham United.
Cumbrian side Windscale
and North Yorkshire outfit Richmond Town – both clubs in areas with tier two restrictions – cannot play games until travelling between tiers is allowed.
A league statement read: “Following a league management meeting, please note the following decision.
“There are six clubs who have indicated they don’t want to play without spectators so they will have their games suspended up to and including December 16, games for the 19th are subject to a tier review.
“There are four clubs who would like to wait until after the next review before making their mind up.
“The remainder have indicated that they will play as normal.
“Two clubs – Windscale and Richmond Town – cannot play until travelling between tiers is allowed.
“T h e d e c i s i o n i s t h at games will be arranged for December 5 to 16, for the 10 clubs.
“Windscale will play Richmond Town this weekend as already arranged.”