Pressure grows on FA over non-league season write-off - more than 6,000 sign petition

The battle over the FA’s move to end the 2019-20 without promotion or relegation for hundreds of non-league clubs is gathering pace by the day - and nowhere is that truer than in Sussex..
East Preston (black and white) - the latest club to join the protest against the FA's proposed axing of the 2019-20 non-league season and all its results - take on Lancing, one of the league leaders who stand to lose out / Picture: Derek MartinEast Preston (black and white) - the latest club to join the protest against the FA's proposed axing of the 2019-20 non-league season and all its results - take on Lancing, one of the league leaders who stand to lose out / Picture: Derek Martin
East Preston (black and white) - the latest club to join the protest against the FA's proposed axing of the 2019-20 non-league season and all its results - take on Lancing, one of the league leaders who stand to lose out / Picture: Derek Martin

Legal pressure is being put on the FA to delay or overturn the move, while nearly 7,000 people have signed an online petition opposing the decision.

Five Sussex clubs are now involved in the protest after SCFL premier-division side East Preston joined a quartet of league leading teams - Worthing, Hastings, Littlehampton and Lancing - in putting their name to a solicitors’ letter that has gone to the FA.

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The decision - in contrast to what’s happened in rugby, where the RFU have calculated final tables based on teams’ playing records so far - has been made by FA and league officials but has yet to be ratified by the FA Council.

A solicitors' letter backed by 151 clubs across the country says the decision to scrap the season and expunge results at non-league step three and below was done too hastily and without proper consultation with many clubs.

In addition to the nine-page legal letter, an online petition has been signed by more than 6,800 people and is aiming to attract 10,000 signatures.

The letter, sent by solicitors Walker Morris, says clubs do not feel consultation or decision-making has taken place in accordance with FA or National League System rules. They call for ‘democratic transparency’ for clubs affected. It is claimed the the whole process has gone ahead in ‘unnecessary haste’.

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The letter also points out that if UEFA is saying that ‘to decide to abandon domestic competitions now is premature and unjustified, the FA should consider very carefully whether the decision of its committees to do the same is premature and unjustified’.

“The clubs request that prior to any decision being put to FA Council to be ratified, the FA should ensure that a thorough consultation process has taken place through the leagues to their club members to ensure that what is put to FA Council to ratify is the will of the clubs rather than the will of the Step 3/4 leagues who have been able to control the position for remainder of the football pyramid below them,” the letter says.

As well as men’s non-league clubs, there are claims women’s and disability teams, to whom the move to scrap the season also applies, have not been consulted.

The letter to the FA adds: “The principle to finish the 2019/20 season remains the priority for the clubs, even though it is impossible at this moment to know when or how the season may resume. If, in due course, a decision is taken across the game that the season will be terminated, they appreciate that same position will also have to apply to them.”

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The online petition - signed by more than 6,800 people so far - has been created to ‘make a stand against the decision and ask that the seasons are to be completed’. Its heading says: “The decision should be consistent throughout the football pyramid. If the top level plays on, so should we.

“A lot of non-league teams have four or five games in hand over others, some in relegation battles and others in races for promotion. Matchday revenue is massive for these teams. Finishing the season will only be a benefit.

“The same applies for women’s football. They put in the same amount of effort, time and money to get through a season.

“Nobody wants their leagues to end, no matter the level of football being played. Let’s get these leagues wrapped up in the same way as the Premier League. If next season has to be delayed slightly so be it.”

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East Preston’s backing is interesting in that they would have nothing to gain from the season being completed, nor from points-per-game ained being used to work out final tables. EP were 17th in the SCFL premier when fixtures were suspended.

EP chairman Terry Doyle said: “Our view was that the decision to finish the season without some conclusion, and without any promotion or relegation, was unsatisfactory. It rewards failure by keeping clubs up when they shouldn’t stay up, rather than rewarding success.

“There are some teams who have already clinched promotion and others who would not be caught. Had we been in the position clubs at the top of league are in, we’d have been devastated, and we’d also hope for support from other clubs.

“The SCFL took on board this view when we expressed it to them and we felt it right to back this national letter. But I’ve been in football long enough to know this may prove to be a protest rather than something that changes the decision.”

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Meanwhile, two Sussex clubs’ local MPs have joined the crusade.

Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley is backing Worthing FC’s battle over the decision by writing to the sports minister to question it.

Worthing led the Isthmian premier when football was suspended and were favourites for the title and for promotion to National South.

A Worthing FC spokesman said: “Our local MP has asked for more insight into the FA’s decision to expunge the 2019-20 league. Sir Peter’s support on this issue is very welcome and we look forward to the response.”

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Sally-Ann Hart, MP for Hastings and Rye, has also written to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden, after Hastings United owner Darren Burney asked her to get involved.

She has asked him to intervene and forced the FA to talk to clubs and reconsider the decision.

Hastings led the Isthmian south east division when the virus lockdown hit.

Littlehampton, who were top of SCFL division one when football froze, are another of the teams pressing the FA for a rethink. Golds said they did not expect the FA to change their minds but felt that it was important to fight.

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“We will be ready to carry on from where we left off next season whichever league we are in,” they added.

Sussex Newspapers have asked the FA to confirm when the vital FA Council meeting is planned but they have yet to answer.

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