FROME Town is awaiting news about when Southern League football will return.
League games have been suspended since the beginning of the second national lockdown in early November. And there is talk that games won’t restart until at least January.
Following the announcement by the government about the allocation of the tier system across England, the Southern League, along with the Isthmian, and Northern Premier Leagues, agreed to continue its suspension of league games whilst they await further updates from the government regarding tier allocations
“At this point the club has no comment, but is now meeting to discuss the ramifications of what the decision means to our club,” said Frome Town FC following the announcement by the Southern League about the continued suspension of league games.
Further news about the future of this year’s season is expected later this week.
However, the Robins said they were “excited and ready to get back to business” in an Buildbase FA Trophy First Round match on Tuesday 8th December, when Town were due to play away to Oxfordshire team, North Leigh. Unlike league matches, cup games in the same tier are able to go ahead.
In discussing the future of league games, the statement issued by the Southern, Isthmian, and Northern Premier Leagues said, “Further clarification can now be given in relation to the voting following the Zoom meetings held by all 3 Trident Leagues with their nember clubs to discuss the impact of the raising of the lockdown on 2nd December.
“There were 224 clubs voting across the 3 leagues and of these, 172 agreed with the proposition to continue the pause in fixtures, 51 disagreed and there was 1 abstention. Broken down by League, 57 clubs in the Northern Premier League voted to agree with 4 disagreeing, 68 clubs in the Southern League agreed, with 14 disagreeing, and in the Isthmian League it was much closer with 47 cslubs agreeing, 33 disagreeing and 1 abstention.
“The “Agree” vote was therefore 76% and it has been agreed that the three Leagues will not sanction fixtures at this time.
“It is intended that the situation is kept under review in line with Government review on the tier allocations and restrictions. Accordingly, the next review is set for 16 December and then 30 December.
“It is the hope of all the Leagues that a date in January can be set for a return to fixtures, with clubs who wish, being allowed to play before that date, but this will not be until there is a change in the tiers and/or some progress in the funding of the clubs at this level.
“The Government has allocated £25m to Sport England to fund steps 1 to 6 of the National Leagues System, of which £14m is set for steps 3-6, but is heavily weighted in favour of loans, not grants. The FA is working tirelessly with DCMS and Sport England to have the funding presented as grants. However, these negotiations take time, and it is not expected to have an answer or clarification of details of even the loans until mid-January.
“The deep concern of all involved in the NLS is that circumstances may mean that it is not possible to conclude the current format of competition in a manner in which promotion and relegation can be achieved throughout the whole pyramid, with Step 2 being brought up to 48 clubs and Step 4 brought up to 240 clubs.
“If, therefore, no progress is made by the Government on the tiers in either of the two December reviews, it is the intention of the Alliance Committee to circulate those concerned with a survey to gather the views of the clubs as how best to finish the season. Options will include an alternative format competition and extending the season, possibly into June 2021. However the implications of all such proposals will involve the cost of players’ contracts and the ability of some clubs to continue playing because of other issues of grounds and the need to prepare grass pitches for the following season.
“The Leagues are mindful of the needs of all clubs and are striving to find a solution which is fair to all.”
