{"id":554099,"date":"2020-06-17T10:51:50","date_gmt":"2020-06-17T14:51:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=554099"},"modified":"2020-06-17T10:51:50","modified_gmt":"2020-06-17T14:51:50","slug":"national-league-vote-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/06\/17\/national-league-vote-update\/","title":{"rendered":"National League Vote Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

National League clubs are today having another attempt at finding a solution to the ending of their 2019\/20 season.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Monday 15th June, <\/span>a proposal from the National League board was submitted to a vote of their clubs. Much controversy surrounded this vote, with a number of clubs unhappy at a <\/span>perceived<\/span> injustice. Hence, it became a mess.<\/span><\/p>\n

Update on National League Vote<\/h2>\n

Deadline<\/h3>\n

Now, <\/span>a modified idea has been put to <\/span>clubs, who have been given a deadline of 5pm today to accept.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

The original proposal would have seen play-offs taking place in the highest <\/span>division<\/span> of the National League (Step 5 of English football) only. P<\/span>lay-offs<\/span> from the North and South divisions (Step 6) were to be scrapped. This was because the National League ruled that Step 6 fell outside the Government’s category of ‘elite sport’.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understandably, a number of these clubs, <\/span>most notably<\/span> Havant & Waterlooville and York City, <\/span>were unhappy<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alan Mak, the MP for Havant, even intervened to <\/span>ask<\/span> the National <\/span>League to<\/span> reverse their decision. Mak stated that the <\/span>Government<\/span> had no objections. This led to a social media campaign, #promote2, <\/span>applying<\/span> further pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today’s vote, which is expected to pass, now has <\/span>provisions<\/span> for the <\/span>play-offs<\/span> across<\/span> Steps 5 and 6. <\/span>The final league placings will be decided under a points-per-game (PPG) calculation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Costly<\/h3>\n

Whether the North and South play-offs actually go-ahead is another matter. The estimated costs of <\/span>complying<\/span> with COVID-19 regulations, such as testing,g is somewhere between \u00a320,000 to \u00a350,000. Without fans in attendance, this cost cannot be off-set by crowd revenue.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is expected that all eligible clubs will try to play, having fought so hard for the reinstatement of the play-offs. <\/span>For the sake of fairness, play-offs in both National League North and South must take place. T<\/span>his will be in around a month’s time, a<\/span>s much preparation is required.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Ups and Downs<\/h3>\n

In turn, this will relegate clubs from the National League. Under the previous proposal, only Chorley would have suffered a demotion. Now, AFC Fylde and Ebbsfleet United will also be relegated<\/a> under PPG.\u00a0<\/span> A vacancy has arisen <\/span>due<\/span> to Bury’s expulsion from the Football League; <\/span>Maidenhead United are expected <\/span>to gain<\/span> a reprieve.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

If passed, the vote will also confirm Barrow as Step 5 <\/span>champions, whilst Wealdstone secure promotion from Step 6 as champions. However, <\/span>under PPG, <\/span>York City will slip to second place in the National <\/span>League<\/span> North behind Kings Lynn. <\/span>The Minstermen <\/span>will now have to win the play-offs <\/span>to join Kings Lynn. A<\/span>t least promotion remains a <\/span>possibility, although t<\/span>his is not the solution that York had hoped for.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>