Six scenarios laid out for return of Southern League football

The current plan is for the new season to start on September 19
Corby Town's Southern League season won't start until fans are allowed back into Steel ParkCorby Town's Southern League season won't start until fans are allowed back into Steel Park
Corby Town's Southern League season won't start until fans are allowed back into Steel Park

The Southern League, in which AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Corby Town play, have revealed their coronavirus contingency planning for the new non-League season.

Six possible scenarios have been laid out by the Southern League and the Isthmian League in their ‘Project Restart’ as they try to help clubs forward plan with fans currently barred from attending matches.

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Competitions at Step 3 and 4 are working towards a start to the season on Saturday, September 19 but insists playing games behind closed doors is not financially viable.

An online campaign to #LetFansIn has been gathering moment with the leagues pressing the FA and Government for answers but details of the contingency plans have now been made public.

In a letter to clubs, Southern League vice-chairman and FA representative Anthony Hughes said: “I am writing to update you in light of the continuing lack of clarity around when paying fans can be admitted to National League System stadiums once again.

“Since June, the FA has submitted three proposals have been submitted to DCMS for the safe return of fans; FA representatives met with DCMS as recently as last week.

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“DCMS are supportive of those proposals and are waiting for approval from HM government.

“We are all frustrated at the lack of response but, with DCMS support, are pressing HMG for an urgent response and that fans be allowed to attend games. The Alliance Leagues’ stance is still that playing games behind closed doors is not financially viable.

“The Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern leagues are committed to starting the 2020/21 season on 19th September, providing government allows our clubs to admit spectators.

“However, we recognise that factors beyond our – or your – control may mean this date is not achievable.”

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“To help clubs to forward plan, although our primary objective is to start the Step 3 & 4 playing season on September 19, contingencies are set out as follows for your information.”

Proposed Roadmap (subject to change)

Scenario 1: Steps 3 & 4 season starts on September 19, finishes 8th May 8 with play-offs the following week. Deadline for decision: August 21.

If it is not possible to start on September 19, September 26 is the FA Trophy so…

Scenario 2: Steps 3 & 4 season starts on October 3, finishes May 15 with play-offs the following week. Deadline for decision: September 4.

If it is not possible to start on October 3…

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Scenario 3: Steps 3 & 4 season starts on October 10, finishing May 15. No play-offs, top two clubs promoted. Deadline for decision: September 11.

If it is not possible to start on October 10…

Scenario 4: Steps 3 & 4 season starts on October 17, finishing May 15. No play-offs, top two clubs promoted. Deadline for decision: September 18.

If it is not possible to start on October 17…

Scenario 5: Scenario 5 is subject to club approval via AGM or EGM, FA regulatory approval and will require changes to the NLS Regulations and Standardised Rules, which also require FA Council approval.

Deadline for decision – TBC.

At this point a full fixture programme is not possible without unreasonable levels of midweek and away travel. So, each Step 3 and 4 division is split into two smaller divisions, every club playing each other home and away to create a ‘half’ season, at the end of which, the split divisions are re-merged.

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The top five clubs will then play a Champions League style round-robin (ideally home and away) with the top 2 clubs promoted.

The lowest-ranked five will play each other, home and away, with the necessary number of clubs (i.e. reflecting withdrawals or resignations) being relegated. Clubs not featuring in Champion or Relegation Play-Offs will be able to enter a voluntary cup competition.

Scenario 6: If it is not possible to start until January 2021, The Alliance Committee will determine if and how the season will be played out following consultation with the member clubs of the Northern Premier League, Southern Football League and the Isthmian League by the Leagues.

Any decision of the Alliance Committee and subsequent changes to the NLS Regulations and Standardised Rules will require the approval of FA Council.