Recently relegated Southend United issue a statement on the much talked about proposal between the EFL and the National League.
The Shrimpers chairman Ron Martin has confirmed the Shrimpers have joined Grimsby Town in ending their proposal to stop relegation from the Football League.
Blues and Grimsby will both be in the National League next season after going down from League Two.
Both clubs have now opted to end their challenge, but it really did make them look foolish at the time.
“Southend United supported Grimsby Town’s proposal in recognition of the changes to the National League rules during the campaign which conflicted with the stated objective of the FA pyramid where promotion and relegation are a fundamental principle,” said Martin.
“This past 15 months due to Covid has necessitated many twists and turns within the industry in order to keep clubs, particularly those further down the pyramid, alive.
“The National League changes to their rules did not favour Grimsby Town or indeed Southend, and while we supported their proposal we are equally content to support Grimsby Town’s withdrawal.
“I accept the club’s performances were not good enough, apart from short spells, throughout the season and deserved to be relegated.
“Work has already started on making sure we do all we can to return to the EFL at the first attempt”
A week ago, Southend United chairman Ron Martin made a surprise suggestion to the EFL as he felt ‘it’s unfair’ that teams are relegated from League Two.
The Shrimpers chief gave a series of answers to various topics about the future of the club, finances, and going down to the National League.
Martin was unhappy that relegation has been allowed from League Two and not the National League, and is now taking action. Yet we all know how this is likely to play out.
Well Southend seemingly haven’t backed down, though as of Saturday the 15th of May 2021, Grimsby have stepped away and won’t go any further with the proposal.
GRIMSBY CLUB STATEMENT:
Grimsby Town has agreed with the EFL not to progress any proposed rule changes in connection with promotion / relegation between the EFL and the National League.
We take this opportunity to wish good luck for the rest of the season to the clubs challenging for promotion to League 2 and look forward to participating in the National League in 2021/22, hopefully with the backing of all our respective fans returning to support us.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
“A proposal has been submitted to the English Football League and it will be discussed at next week’s EFL meeting,” said Martin once the season ended.
“Ultimately it will be spoken about at the AGM on June 10th too.
“Grimsby and us feel that the unusual circumstances of this year should be acknowledged.
“The National League haven’t relegated but they have promoted and the way it’s pitched at the moment it’s unfair to relegate clubs from League Two.”
“We’re looking at the rules.”
CLUB STATEMENT:
Grimsby Town has agreed with the EFL not to progress any proposed rule changes in connection with promotion / relegation between the EFL and the National League.
We take this opportunity to wish good luck for the rest of the season to the clubs challenging for promotion to League 2 and look forward to participating in the National League in 2021/22, hopefully with the backing of all our respective fans returning to support us.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
“A proposal has been submitted to the English Football League and it will be discussed at next week’s EFL meeting,” said Martin once the season ended.
“Ultimately it will be spoken about at the AGM on June 10th too.
“Grimsby and us feel that the unusual circumstances of this year should be acknowledged.
“The National League haven’t relegated but they have promoted and the way it’s pitched at the moment it’s unfair to relegate clubs from League Two.”
“We’re looking at the rules.”
Martin also stated that the proposal had been submitted by Grimsby Town with input from the Shrimpers.
Meanwhile as Ron Martin felt it was unfair to relegate teams to the National League this term, manager Phil Brown is actually not finding it an issue.
“There’s no problem where I’m concerned about managing Southend United in the National League,” said Brown.
“I’ve no fears of that and it would actually tick another box.
“I could say not only have I managed in the top four divisions but the top five instead.”
“It has to be right for both sides,” said Brown.
“They will have to match my ambition in trying to get out of the National League.
“Going forward any manager who takes this position has to know in no uncertain terms that the deal is right and the club has to share the ambition with the manager.
“It can’t just be them saying I hope we get promoted, I can’t be listening to that.
“It has to be on the same page as what I’m talking about.
“It’s about scrapping and battling to win games of football and that’s all I’m interested in.”
Fans reacted as Southend issue a statement on the proposal between the EFL and the National League…
@NickDuGard1: Acceptance of the inevitable. Welcome to the league where fools rush in and angels fear to tread.. 😳
@Macca_Hamlet: Ha. Very reasonable of him.
@YCFC1972: Still on the c*** list
@mickhartlepool: Welcome to hell
@durhamchris1983: Dock them points merely for the cheek of proposing the idea. Idiots
@TORQUAYTALK: Well that was silly wasn’t it 😀
@krisreidy_: You mean they failed in their attempt, and now have to accept it?
@NatObsPod: ‘I accept I am a prize penis’
@10tommywright: 🤣🤣 prick
@tjd01_: hahahaha that lasted long
@acameron78: Embarrassing
@garethrjs: RM was a clown to submit this in the first place. What a prick he is.
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