Statement: Conclusion of 19/20 Season
STATEMENT: CONCLUSION OF 19/20 SEASON
A joint statement from Norfolk FA & our sanctioned Leagues.
Joint statement from Norfolk FA, the Hadley & Ottaway Anglian Combination, Central & South Norfolk League sponsored by Barnes Print, Sonata Security Great Yarmouth & District League, Mid Norfolk Youth League, East Point Sports Norfolk & Suffolk Youth League, Norfolk Christian Football League, Norfolk Combined Youth Football League, One Broker Veterans League, Norfolk Women’s & Girls Football League, Walcott Lighthouse Inn North East Norfolk League, RB Trucks North West Norfolk League and the Norwich & District Sunday League.
Following the FA’s announcement on Thursday 26 March regarding the conclusion of the 2019/20 season for all grassroots football, the committees of all Norfolk FA sanctioned Leagues have been considering how to conclude their respective seasons, based upon the two options provided by The FA, namely:
- 1.) Competitions are brought to an immediate end with results expunged (i.e. without promotion or relegation occurring
- 2.) League positions and promotions and relegations are resolved by a point per game calculation
On Tuesday 31 March, Norfolk FA hosted a meeting with all Leagues (Youth & Adult) at which the representatives of each League fed back on their current position and this was followed by a comprehensive discussion on the two potential outcomes and the implications for Norfolk football. At this meeting it was clear that all Leagues wanted to ensure a collective approach to communicating the outcome with our Clubs, Officials, Players and Volunteers and therefore it was agreed that the representatives of each League should be provided with the opportunity to feed back to their respective Management Committees to allow them to review their preferred choice prior to determining their final position.
Each League has now done this and at a subsequent meeting on Wednesday 8 April all Leagues confirmed to us which option they have chosen:
League(s) that will be expunging results (option 1)
- Hadley & Ottaway Anglian Combination
- Central & South Norfolk League sponsored by Barnes Print
- Sonata Security Great Yarmouth & District League
- Mid Norfolk Youth League
- East Point Sports Norfolk & Suffolk Youth League
- Norfolk Christian Football League
- One Broker Veterans League
- Norfolk Women’s & Girls Football League
- Walcott Lighthouse Inn North East Norfolk League
- RB Trucks North West Norfolk League
- Norwich & District Sunday League
League(s) that will be awarding Points Per Game (option 2)
- Norfolk Combined Youth Football League
Whilst ideally, we would have liked every League to have chosen the same option, we absolutely respect and support each League in the decision that they have made, which in each case is the one that the respective League Committee feels is the best for their Competition.
This has been a very challenging process for everybody involved and each League’s Management Committee, who are all volunteers within the game, would have given very careful consideration to all the factors involved. Over the course of the season the Norfolk football community have played, coached, officiated and volunteered in the sport we all love and to have to end the season with either option is not the outcome anybody would have wanted. We all recognise and understand the frustrations involved and also we know that people will have a number of questions and so we have published an updated set of FAQ’s on our website which we would strongly recommend you read.
Matt Carpenter, Football Services Manager: “Clearly football is not the top priority right now, but our League volunteers have continued to work hard for the local game and have had to make some very difficult and challenging decisions as to how to conclude their respective seasons. I would like to thank them all for the work they continue to do and particularly those who joined us for the two online meetings.
"These are unprecedented times and whilst local football is paused, many of the football community are playing important roles as key workers, volunteers, fund raisers and simply sharing fun football activities and our thanks go to everyone for all that they are doing.
"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with anybody who may have lost a relative, friend or colleague to this awful virus.
"When Covid-19 has finally passed and only when the time is right, we look forward to all of Norfolk football pulling together as we get back to enjoying the sport we all love as players, coaches, referees and volunteers. Until that time arrives please continue to stay safe and well and take care of those around you.”
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