Runaway non league leaders threaten legal action after season is voided, which was revealed by the Football Association on Thursday.
South Shields, of the Northern Premier League, looked certain to win promotion into the National League North after opening up a 12 point lead over second place FC United of Manchester who they beat 5-3 in front of a record crowd of 3,274 before the league was stopped two weeks ago.
The club had invested thousands of pounds into a promotion push this season only for their hopes to be shattered by circumstances beyond their control.
Chairman Geoff Thompson has vowed to appeal and, if necessary, go to court.
“South Shields will be writing to the FA in the strongest possible terms and will seek an appeal or will take legal action,” he said.
“Whatever the outcome following this appalling decision, the club will continue as before.”
South Tyneside-based Shields were once members of the Football League and in 1921 actually led Division Two ahead of such established names as Leicester, Leeds and Nottingham Forest.
They were eventually replaced by neighbours Gateshead but today’s directors have aspirations to regain their place.
“There is no denying this decision has a huge financial impact,” added Thompson.
“We have invested heavily this year in a host of areas and the loss of promotion will also affect some of our revenue assumptions for next season.
“My message to all South Shields fans and sponsors is ‘Sorry. It is a huge disappointment and we’ve all been badly let down.”
SSFC will be writing to the FA in the strongest possible terms and will seek an appeal or will take legal action. Whatever the outcome following this appalling decision the Club will continue as before. However there is no denying this decision has a huge financial impact 1/2
— Geoff Thompson (@GeoffTChairman) March 26, 2020
2/we have invested heavily this year in a host of areas and the loss of promotion will also affect some of our revenue assumptions for next season. My message to all our SSFC fans and sponsors is – sorry a huge disappointment and we’ve all been badly let down.
— Geoff Thompson (@GeoffTChairman) March 26, 2020
Gary Neville also tweeted on the matter: “Can someone explain to me what. is forcing the non-league divisions to void the season ? We’ve been down there with @SalfordCityFC for 5 years so we have some experience of it and I don’t get it !! Help ??♂️”
Can someone explain to me what. is forcing the non-league divisions to void the season ? We’ve been down there with @SalfordCityFC for 5 years so we have some experience of it and I don’t get it !! Help ??♂️
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) March 26, 2020
Fans gave their reaction as the runaway non league leaders threaten legal action after season is voided…
Game 89% played and abandoned… voided and replayed. Season 79% played and abandoned… “we should be promoted”, what goes around comes around lads
— adam (@AdamH_27) March 26, 2020
Now would be a good time to strike up a friendship with @jersey_bulls , @Vauxhallmotorfc and maybe @halesowentownfc
— UP THE MARINERS! (@UTM_Mariners) March 26, 2020
I don't think anybody is saying that football is more important than coronavirus, but it doesn't make this ruling any more palatable. Common sense should be applied here and the league table be upheld. I'm not a shields fan either.
— Kris Ward (@kriswardh) March 26, 2020
Tell that to the premier league etc.
Your right football isn't a matter of life or death but one day when we're over this horrible virus, we could look back and think maybe they could of done things differently with so much of the season complete.— Rob Sanderson (@RobSanderson19) March 26, 2020
Feel for you and the lads mate ! Strange decision ! A lot more unhappy than happy
— samuel james lee (@samueljameslee1) March 26, 2020
You must be logged in to post a comment Login