Step 6 side say they won’t be entering a team next season

A Step 6 side say they won’t be entering a team next season as the struggles continue off the back of the coronavirus pandemic.

Over the last few months, a number of clubs, believed to be around 16, have revealed they are either folding, stepping down or simply not able to put out a team.

The latest name to fallen foul to the struggles is FC Broxbourne Borough, who won’t be entering a team into the Spartan Division 1 next season.

Karen French, the club secretary said: FC Broxbourne Borough will not be entering a team this year in to the Spartan league due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID 19 and other factors.

“My understanding is there would be a re-shuffling of leagues anyway as some point so more than likely wouldn’t have been in the Spartan anymore anyway, I’d like to say thanks for everything over the years. I wish everyone at the Spartan league all the best going forward.”

The Hertfordshire side were 9th in the Spartan Div 1 when results were expunged.

This would mean that spaces would be needed to fill various divisions throughout the non league pyramid, or at least you’d think that would happen.

The Football Association said in a meeting with leagues at Steps 5-6: “Even if a league at a higher step has a vacancy caused by a club folding or requesting voluntary relegation, NO Promotion will occur and that league will run short.

The FA will look at applications to enter the pyramid to fill a vacancy (AFC Bury and Isle of Mann were only ones mentioned).

Just a week ago, Solent University (formerly known Team Solent) who have sadly tendered their resignation from the Sydenhams (Wessex) League prior to the forthcoming 2020/2021 season.

The added: “They have cited the “changing landscape of Higher Education which has caused a realignment of the priorities and the desire to support other sporting ambitions” as the reason for this decision.

“The League has reported the resignation to the Football Association who will make the League allocations for next season.”

It’s also two weeks ago since Southern League club Blackfield and Langley sent in a request to the FA for voluntary relegation.

Fans reacted after the Step 6 side say they won’t be entering a team next season…

The first of many, I fear Ollie.

— Martin McConachie (@HamdonMart) June 20, 2020

Can I rephrase? Cut funding from the FA Cup up to the First Round Proper (it’s the same after that), plus Trophy and Vase. Premier and FL clubs will be unaffected so only non league clubs will suffer.

— Martin Fallon (@MisterFallon) June 21, 2020

Stinks.. again! Not supporting the clubs in Non League where money matters most.

— Alan Riding (@AlanRiding) June 21, 2020

Such a shame

— DavieGMason (@daviemason) June 20, 2020

This means a possible16 teams have either dropped down or folded and still the FA do nothing.The least they can do is at least make all leagues full by promotion of step7 clubs to fill spaces.Also maybe if they had put new structure in this season a lot of teams might of survived

— Eric b (@eshanknickyb) June 21, 2020

Sad to hear this ?

— Mark ???? (@MiddyRed68) June 20, 2020

Shame, a nice club when I visited

— Russell Cox (@RussWWFC) June 20, 2020

Craig Connell: Great club FC broxbourne

Tony Phillips: That’s a bloody choker I think there will be a few more also

Michael Chalkley: That’s a shame Good luck for the future

Oxhey Jets FC Jre: May I wish all at BB the very best of health and luck for the future, my contacts go back many many years Somm and amb to broxbourne etc and have many great matches. It’s such a shame the virus and the pyramid has led to this I think people don’t realise how happy some of us are to be in the leagues we’re part of

Michael Melbourne: Always sad when clubs cannot carry on but I fear others may struggle to return.

Paul Toms: Wow

Adrian Marsden: First of many by the looks of it. Sad times for non league.