Football

[Haywain]

I have great sympathy for them - however that doesn't change the reality that the secretary is responsible for this kind of thing.

Agreed. And, for the particular benefit of those who think the FA drag their feet in dealing with such matters, Stockton's hearing over this is at 2pm tomorrow. So, well done to both the club and the FA for allowing this to be accelerated.

 

[Old Yard Dog]

Gateshead and Southend are currently 27 & 26 points behind York - but only 16 & 17 pts above Wealdstone, the highest team in a relegation spot. Gateshead have only won 2 more games than they have lost. Would it really be right to expect Carlisle or Morecambe to give up their FL places for the Heed? (Although Gateshead were denied a playoff place last season by a small print clause - and were very unlucky to be voted out of D4 in 1960 to make room for Peterborough - and even unluckier to be voted out of the NPL in 1970)

I would have more sympathy for the National League's plea for three promotion places if they allowed the teams finishing second in NLN & NLS into their own league. But, of course, that can't happen without having 6 teams going down or scrapping the NLN & NLS play-offs.

 

[DarloRich]

Would it really be right to expect Carlisle or Morecambe to give up their FL places for the Heed?

Yes.

 

[Haywain]

Would it really be right to expect Carlisle or Morecambe to give up their FL places for the Heed?

Yes, that's what they knew was the case from the start of the season.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Would it really be right to expect Carlisle or Morecambe to give up their FL places for the Heed?

Yes it would. Teams know the rules before the season starts.

 

[Jimini]

Changing angle slightly: it’s my understanding that the winner of the Europa League gets a place in the Champions League next season. With Manchester United and Tottenham going well thus far in their respective semi final first legs, it does seem a bit unjust that a team that is currently 14th or 16th in the Premier League respectively could potentially enter the CL next season, assuming they both make the final?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Changing angle slightly: it’s my understanding that the winner of the Europa League gets a place in the Champions League next season. With Manchester United and Tottenham going well thus far in their respective semi final first legs, it does seem a bit unjust that a team that is currently 14th or 16th in the Premier League respectively could potentially enter the CL next season, assuming they both make the final?

The rule is known by every club that plays in the Europa League and has nothing whatsoever to do with the form in their domestic league.

 

[Jimini]

The rule is known by every club that plays in the Europa League and has nothing whatsoever to do with the form in their domestic league.

Oh I don't disagree with that, but it does strike me as a bit odd! Is this the first season that's been the rule? It used to be that you could re-enter the EL if you won it, I think?

 

[JamesT]

Oh I don't disagree with that, but it does strike me as a bit odd! Is this the first season that's been the rule? It used to be that you could re-enter the EL if you won it, I think?

The Europa League winner has received a Champions League place since 2014/15.
I think the big change has been with the new league format there isn’t the same opportunity for teams to drop down after losing. Previously the EL would get a CL qualifying place, then either lose or come third in the group phase and drop down to EL and defend their title.

 

[Haywain]

I think the big change has been with the new league format there isn’t the same opportunity for teams to drop down after losing. Previously the EL would get a CL qualifying place, then either lose or come third in the group phase and drop down to EL and defend their title.

Damn those lost opportunities!

 

[Jimini]

The Europa League winner has received a Champions League place since 2014/15.
I think the big change has been with the new league format there isn’t the same opportunity for teams to drop down after losing. Previously the EL would get a CL qualifying place, then either lose or come third in the group phase and drop down to EL and defend their title.

Blimey, didn't realize it had been that long! Thanks for the info.

As a Fulham ST holder, I always remember the last portion of your post; back in 2010 we made it to the final but Atletico Madrid (who eventually beat us) and Liverpool dropped out of the CL and joined us at the semi-final stages, if I recall correctly.

 

[1D54]

So with a Tottenham v Man Utd final now looking a real possibility does that impact on finishing 5th in the Prem getting a place in the CL next season?

 

[JamesT]

So with a Tottenham v Man Utd final now looking a real possibility does that impact on finishing 5th in the Prem getting a place in the CL next season?

It doesn’t. The Champions League place for the Europa League winner is in addition to the domestic spots. There are various articles such as https://www.premierleague.com/news/4279477 explaining it.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Agreed. And, for the particular benefit of those who think the FA drag their feet in dealing with such matters, Stockton's hearing over this is at 2pm tomorrow. So, well done to both the club and the FA for allowing this to be accelerated.

What was the result of the Stockton hearing mentioned above? I have just looked on the Northern Premier League website and there is no mention whatsoever of the matter and they still show the play-off final between the original two teams on Monday, 5th May 2025.

 

[Haywain]

What was the result of the Stockton hearing mentioned above?

I regret to advise you that my crystal ball is defective and I am therefore unable to currently answer your question about my post from, erm..., yesterday.

 

[1D54]

It doesn’t. The Champions League place for the Europa League winner is in addition to the domestic spots. There are various articles such as https://www.premierleague.com/news/4279477 explaining it.

Thanks for that, it makes interesting reading. I was half expecting to find Soton, Ipswich and Leicester were in the mix the further i got down the article.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

What was the result of the Stockton hearing mentioned above?

The hearing is expected to take place today (Friday), at or after 2 p.m., as was mentioned upthread by @Haywain in post #35,431. Worksop Town await whomever in next Monday's play off final.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The hearing is expected to take place today (Friday), at or after 2 p.m., as was mentioned upthread by @Haywain in post #35,431. Worksop Town await whomever in next Monday's play off final.

My apologies to both of you, as I mistakenly noted the day of the hearing as being on Thursday, not Friday.

 

[Haywain]

Jersey Bulls appeal against their 3point deduction is also being heard today. Much of their case is based on them having identified other instances of ineligible players having been fielded, including by several of the top 6 in their division. They are arguing that having self-reported they are treated more harshly than others who have not been charged at all.

Meanwhile, two of the quarter finals of the Combined Counties League Cup are being played between 4 teams reinstated to the competition after being knocked out by teams fielding ineligible players.

 

[SuspectUsual]

One of the side effects of there probably being so many English teams in Europe next season is that the league cup will almost certainly require a preliminary round to make the numbers work

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Jersey Bulls appeal against their 3point deduction is also being heard today. Much of their case is based on them having identified other instances of ineligible players having been fielded, including by several of the top 6 in their division. They are arguing that having self-reported they are treated more harshly than others who have not been charged at all.

Seems that they (Jersey Bulls FC) have lost their appeal.

https://x.com/JerseyBullsFC/status/1918266882458603986

Extract...

In a decision received today, the Appeal Board said: Having played an ineligible player, League Rule 6.9 directs that the Club *shall* have any points gained from the match in question deducted. The Appeal Board concluded that there were no exceptional circumstances in this case, and that the process that had been followed was fair. We will be deducted 3 points from our league campaign.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Stockton Town v Hyde was our final fixture of the regular season and a fairly eventful game. Both sides had a few chances to score but failed. Our captain got red carded and sent off for a coming together ( should only have been a yellow at worst in my opinion)

Will your opinion about the card colour caused by the "coming together" be one that Stockton Town submit to the FA in their required submission?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Will your opinion about the card colour caused by the "coming together" be one that Stockton Town submit to the FA in their required submission?

That'll be the incident that a member of Stockton Town's media team described as "an apparent elbow" in his post match report?

 

[Haywain]

Will your opinion about the card colour caused by the "coming together" be one that Stockton Town submit to the FA in their required submission?

It can't be. They didn't appeal against the red card because if they had the suspension would have been delayed.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 May 2025 ==

Meanwhile, two of the quarter finals of the Combined Counties League Cup are being played between 4 teams reinstated to the competition after being knocked out by teams fielding ineligible players.

Incredibly, one of the reinstated teams has now been kicked out for also fielding an ineligible player!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

And, for the particular benefit of those who think the FA drag their feet in dealing with such matters, Stockton's hearing over this is at 2pm tomorrow. So, well done to both the club and the FA for allowing this to be accelerated.

Seems that the FA meeting has now been held, and the upshot is that matter is being referred to the NPL (= League Management Committee?) to determine what should now actually happen!

Club Statement – Friday Disciplinary Update – Stockton Town Football Club

stocktontownfc.com

Extract...

Stockton Town FC can confirm that we have now attended a hearing with The FA regarding the recent disciplinary matter involving the play-off semi final.

The case is now handed back to the NPL who we are in communication regarding next steps and will have more information tomorrow evening.

 

[Darandio]

As a Fulham ST holder, I always remember the last portion of your post; back in 2010 we made it to the final but Atletico Madrid (who eventually beat us) and Liverpool dropped out of the CL and joined us at the semi-final stages, if I recall correctly.

Liverpool joined the Europa League at the last 32 stage after finishing third in their Champions League group.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Can someone put my mind at rest, as I may well be imagining a certain matter. Quite a few years ago, when Droylsden FC played in a higher league than at present, they had a run in the FA Cup and reached the rounds proper. Were they brought to task over a certain matter of irregularity during that cup run?

 

[1D54]

Can someone put my mind at rest, as I may well be imagining a certain matter. Quite a few years ago, when Droylsden FC played in a higher league than at present, they had a run in the FA Cup and reached the rounds proper. Were they brought to task over a certain matter of irregularity during that cup run?

Played ineligible player v Chesterfield.

Spireites were well aware of what was about to happen but kept quiet about it as a sort of insurance.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Can someone put my mind at rest, as I may well be imagining a certain matter. Quite a few years ago, when Droylsden FC played in a higher league than at present, they had a run in the FA Cup and reached the rounds proper. Were they brought to task over a certain matter of irregularity during that cup run?

Yeah, late 2000s, they beat Chesterfield in the second round but were found to have fielded an ineligible player and were chucked out. The Chesterfield game was very unusual in its own right as it took four attempts to get a result:

First match abandoned due to fog

Replayed first match drawn

Replay abandoned due to floodlight failure. (This was at Droylesden, with them 2-0 down with 15 minutes to go, and there was much speculation at the time as to the exact nature of the "failure", plus the inevitably comments of "one of your team is bound to be a sparky")

Replayed replay won by Droylesden

Their manager (and chairman I think) at the time was an unpleasant little man called Dave Pace

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Can someone put my mind at rest, as I may well be imagining a certain matter. Quite a few years ago, when Droylsden FC played in a higher league than at present, they had a run in the FA Cup and reached the rounds proper. Were they brought to task over a certain matter of irregularity during that cup run?

Yes, as has just been confirmed, this was back in season 2008-2009. The Bloods fielded an ineligible player (Sean Newton) in a second round home replay vs Chesterfield. Droylsden won 2-1 (both goals scored by the very same Sean Newton) but were subsequently removed from the competition. Chesterfield then got to play Ipswich Town at Portman Road in the next round.

Their manager (and chairman I think) at the time was an unpleasant little man called Dave Pace

Think he's still very much involved with the Droylsden club.