Fans left confused after Boreham Wood chairman issues a statement on the National League season which could be set to be cancelled.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the National League “wishes to resume the season at some point” following the suspension of all fixtures until at least the 3rd of April due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Club Statement
“Let me say as a member club we of course support the League, and we’ll try to follow its guidelines, it’s reasoning and it’s decisions.”
Chairman Danny Hunter responds to latest League statement.
Read here?https://t.co/HQazfn70RQ#WeAreTheWood
— Boreham Wood FC (@BOREHAM_WOODFC) March 25, 2020
But later on, National League chief executive, Mike Tattersall, sent out a statement to all clubs saying that The Football Association have been asked to assist with officially postponing all remaining fixtures and to end the season as soon as possible for the purposes of player contracts.
The statement said: “The National League is also working with The FA to define all reasonable and practical options for the determination of the 2019/20 season.”
But Boreham chairman Mr Hunter has since sought clarification from Mr Tattersall and says as of 10pm on Wednesday, the National League would like to resume the season.
Hunter said: “Basically the National League are saying that it is shut down for now, but it does want to find any way possible to finish this season and they would, in an ideal world, like to restart and finish this season’s league between say June, July, August or even September of this year, government guidelines permitting.”
He said that this would mean the 2020/2021 season would then have to be extended into possibly May or June.
He added that the National League has told him they would do its utmost to follow whatever the decision of the English Football League is and align with them.
Some clarification on the National League's position:
-The League doesn't want to make the season void
-They're looking to postpone all matches but open to finishing the season post crisis
-They hope for a solution that matches up with the EFL pic.twitter.com/QXJpWIedMh
— Ollie Bayliss (@Ollie_Bayliss) March 26, 2020
It is his understanding that the the league organisation’s view is that promotion and relegation is “paramount to our league, no matter what the cost.”
“However, for a long standing chairman and owner of 21 years and counting, the cost cannot for a small community club be ‘whatever the cost’, he said.
“It has also, and I’m repeating myself for a reason, been explained to me that the National League will if at all possible want to align itself, with the EFL finishing their competition.
“Which means we do not worry too much about what the Premier League are doing, as they have their own problems to overcome. Namely the Premier League must finish their league competition by July 13 or possibly risk losing over £750m in TV monies… let alone all the other endorsements, sponsorships, and other worldwide TV monies.”
Mr Hunter expained that by trying to align with the EFL all promotions, relegations and play-offs can only be setteled after they know what the EFL is doing.
He added: “While we await further instruction and guidance from both the FA and National League we must try to clarify things like new transfer windows, any new rules regarding the signing of new players and those falling out of contract on April 25, while learning what the new loan rules might look like going forward.
“So to clarify, we believe that all non-league clubs at steps 3, 4, 5, 6 and below, might now find their leagues finished? If true, they will have all their relegation and promotion decisions put on hold, until ourselves and the EFL play out our remaining league games or make our final decisions.
“The National League clubs at steps 1 and 2, which in layman’s terms are the National League Premier, North and South, are for now put on hold… but for complete clarity as has been explained to me as of 10pm last night, the National League competition is not cancelled for the foreseeable future.”
Fans left were left confused after Boreham Wood chairman issues a statement on the National League’s intentions for the season…
Excellent! That’s exactly my view too! Take care everyone! See y’all soon maybe? ? Notts County supporter.
— Allan Hill (@allanhilluk) March 25, 2020
Apparently that statement was misinterpreted by everyone. The National League want confirmation that all fixtures have been suspended, but don’t want the season to be officially over.
— Ollie Bayliss (@Ollie_Bayliss) March 26, 2020
Sensible.
Anyone question, why do we need to start the league in August? Would it not be better to complete the season as and when, and then have a 2 month break and start the season then?
— Matt Le Cornu (@lespacecornu) March 26, 2020
Non league season next year could be extended to say end Mat if it starts in say October with more midweek games and no league cups
— Grant Biddle (@BiddleGrant) March 26, 2020
2 clubs from @TheVanaramaNL are due to be promoted to EFL 2 for next season,how will that be decided if they fail to complete their fixtures is the big question that needs solving,will it be PPG ??
— Victor (@curtiz58) March 26, 2020
It seems hugely unlikely that the season will be able to be completed. The only debate now should be null & void v PPG.
Next season should also be scheduled to start as late as possible.— Simon Baker (@dunnoguv) March 26, 2020
If we do at some point finish this season off, I cannot see the next season starting at all. Players will still want a proper break (family hols) 1-2months. Plus with the Euros penned in for next summer, next season will not finish in time. Either cancel 8-9 games or next season!
— keiron wilcock (@keiron1972) March 26, 2020
By the time they sort it out, a few clubs stand a good chance of going under .
— Tricky Micky (@Webbsfleet) March 26, 2020
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