Speculation surrounding the outcome of the FA’s three-year review has suggested Radstock Town could be one of the few Clubs eligible for promotion into the Premier Division, whilst Longwell Green and Calne Town could find themselves promoted into the Hellenic League.
The FA’s restructuring programme is designed to bring about a “pure pyramid,” that delivers sustainable promotion and relegation across the National League System Regulations.
Whilst the final composition of the restructured leagues is not known, grassroots fans across the country have been piecing together the breadcrumbs left by the FA, in an attempt to understand the journey they might be going on.
The National League System Regulations provide the first clue, stating that whilst the Western League Premier Division will lose between one and three sides through promotion and relegation, a total of eight new sides will have a claim to join the Division in the 2020/21 season.
However, with four South West Peninsula Clubs set to join the Western League next season, the only logical outcome would be the significant movement of existing Clubs out of the League, to free up the spaces required.
In a letter sent to the Western League in April, the FA stated that they had carried out a “mapping exercise” designed to “simulate” what their proposals might mean, based on their proposed geographical footprints. Yet, in the same letter, the FA went on to explain that the calculation of each footprint is impossible. This letter would suggest that the FA prefer to effect change through promotion and relegation.
Yet, for Clubs aspiring to promotion out of the First Division, the prospect of moving into a different league may feel more like a punishment than a reward.
The mapping exercise itself is far from comprehensive, and the FA have indicated that they will be running a further mapping exercise in January, “which will look to provide a guide for Clubs as to where they may expect to be placed in the 2020-21 season”.
However, uncertainty continues around exactly which Clubs the FA are likely to consult. Whilst promotion and relegation might be their preferred method of moving Clubs, lateral movement is by far the most contentious.
At the end of last season, Gloucestershire side, Shortwood United, were relegated into the Hellenic League, following a difficult season in the Western League Premier Division. Yet, they were followed by mid-table Chipping Sodbury, who successfully appealed their lateral movement on the basis of the FA’s inability to effectively consult with the South Gloucestershire Club.
Whilst Chipping Sodbury may have won that battle, they lost their Manager and playing squad in the process, leaving them at the foot of the Premier Division this season with only ten points after eighteen games. A stark reminder of the collateral damage the FA’s poorly articulated restructuring process can bring about.
Historical associations with other territories could provide another clue. Bristol-based Hallen were formerly with the Hellenic League, and the fact that Almondsbury have just moved back to the Western League from the Hellenic, raises questionmarks over the future of near neighbours, Roman Glass St George.
Logically, the fact that Almondsbury did move back, might suggest that the future of that territory has already been determined.
However, the fit between Steps five and six is no longer as straightforward as it once was, with Devon and Wiltshire and possibly South Gloucestershire, becoming increasingly over-lapping between the two divisions.
Current speculation suggests that the major arterial routes around the M4 and M5 are likely to form the FA’s main target for lateral movement, with Bristol sitting on the border of the Western and Hellenic Leagues. Whilst the Western League will inevitably require spaces in its Premier Division, the Hellenic League will also be looking for new recruits, following the creation of the Thames Valley Super League in the M3/M4 corridor, which has replaced the League’s eastern territory.
Previously, it had been thought the focus would have been on Wiltshire Clubs, given that the League’s boundaries could extend from Cornwall to Wiltshire next season.
However, for many Wiltshire Clubs, the logical League for relocation out of the Western League would be the Wessex League, which is unlikely to be as affected by the FA’s restructuring programme as their counterparts further west.
Given what little information has been forthcoming from the Football Association, grassroots fans have taken to online forums to share their own theories for the re-organisation, giving rise to the belief that Hallen, Cribbs, Cadbury Heath and Roman Glass St George could all be moved into the Hellenic League.
Further Clubs could be in line for lateral movement, depending on the candidates for promotion out of the First Division. Whilst Longwell Green and Calne could well be promoted out of the Western League, Longwell Green might earn a reprieve if another Wiltshire side, such as Corsham Town or Warminster, mounted a late top four push in the second half of the season.
Whatever happens, our local sides are likely to be playing their football in the Western League next season, with Radstock Town currently occupying one of the four promotion places into the Premier Division.
However, it’s worth remembering that a reduced contingent of Clubs from Wiltshire will result in North East Somerset forming the League’s eastern border, leaving the Miners and the Green Army very much in the firing line for any future FA restructuring activity.
For that reason, “Plan for the Worst and Hope for the Best” needs to become the mantra for every Western League Club.
Comments
Post a Comment