Football

[Lampshade]

Plus with Liverpool winning the league with 4/5 games left to play it shows how boring the Premier League has become.

City winning it with 100 points was brilliant though, right?

 

[Haywain]

How many non-league clubs have had points deducted for administrative errors this season?

I don't know the actual number but it's a tiny proportion of the total number of clubs.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Apr 2025 ==

Only if you look at the top of the table. The middle has had a lot of quality and excitement.

Yes, that battle for 10th* place has kept the nation engrossed!

*other numbers are available.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Apr 2025 ==

FWIW - Gateshead got away with fielding a substitute who against Bradford in the FA Cup three or four years ago who hadn't been named on the team sheet. The Heed went on to have a quite lucrative cup run. There are obviously one set of rules/punishments for "bigger" clubs and another set for minnows.

In 2023 Barnsley were thrown out of the FA Cup for fielding an ineligible player against Horsham. "One set of rules for bigger clubs", eh?

 

[dangie]

City winning it with 100 points was brilliant though, right?

Not to me
I support Stoke. We are 18th out of 24 with just one game to play and we could still get relegated. That is a lot more interesting…. unfortunately

 

[Haywain]

Not to me
I support Stoke. We are 18th out of 24 with just one game to play and we could still get relegated. That is a lot more interesting…. unfortunately

On the bright side, Preston are below you! As are others on better form than Preston. But, hey, who wants meaningless matches at the end of the season?

 

[Old Yard Dog]

Congratulations to Brackley Town having finally gained promotion from National Leaguer North having lost in the play-offs in every non Covid season from 2017-18 to 2023-24 inclusive. A classic victim of the promotion bottle neck which the current pyramid system has begotten. It might have symmetry but 1-up (+1 play-off) 4-down leagues have a lot of jeopardy at the bottom while teams at the top can get 90+ points and not go up.

 

[DarloRich]

Congratulations to Brackley Town having finally gained promotion from National Leaguer North having lost in the play-offs in every non Covid season from 2017-18 to 2023-24 inclusive. A classic victim of the promotion bottle neck which the current pyramid system has begotten.

a classic victim of lack of bottle and/or not really wanting to go up The celebrations at loosing a southern side in the NLN are cancelled out by gaining, perhaps, Bedford!

PS - mentioned Brackley at post #35387 above

PPS - gave my views on new NLN teams next season at #34345

FWIW - Gateshead got away with fielding a substitute who against Bradford in the FA Cup three or four years ago who hadn't been named on the team sheet. The Heed went on to have a quite lucrative cup run. There are obviously one set of rules/punishments for "bigger" clubs and another set for minnows.

There is no conspiracy - do you think the FA have the intelligence to arrange such a thing?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Apr 2025 ==

Boston 2 Gateshead 1. Nearly a miracle how we have managed to stay up with one game to spare. 12 points behind at the beginning of March, a super human effort that I probably won't see again in my lifetime! Heading full time next year and 4th stand to be completed. Can we just have a mid table season next year please!

As for us last season it is amazing what getting a proper manager in can achieve!

 

[Iskra]

I don't begrudge you that one bit. We may as well have been playing Liverpool - Leeds are a fantastic side and absolutely deserve a long stay in the Premier League the way they're playing. Daniel Farke has done a phenomenal job for you - I know we travel about as well as a cat in a rucksack but we're fifth in the league on merit and it should have been a cricket scoreline.

As for Bristol City, it's been a brilliant effort from Liam Manning and the team to get so close to the play-offs. I'm not going to count my chickens before they hatch but I hope we do show that we can consistently challenge at the right end of the league rather than falling away like the last couple of times we've challenged for sixth. That being said, we only need to look at the bottom three this year to know what any season in the Premier League for us would be like. Would I prefer never quite getting there to euphoria followed quickly by getting thrashed 6-0 every week? I'm not sure. But it's been a fantastic season all the same.

Thank you!

Yes, I think you've had a great season and Manning has got more from the team than the sum of their parts would suggest. You should make the play-offs still, and let's face it, anything can happen there!

And yet their team has plenty of players in it who couldn’t get into premier league teams. Rodon, James, Darlow, Solomon, Byram, Ampadu etc.

Yes Leeds are a fantastic championship side, but it just demonstrates again how wide the gulf to the premier league is

If our players could have got into Premier League teams, we wouldn't have been able to retain them. That's the nature of the Championship. Seems an odd criticism to make!

This team is untested in the Premier League, and last time we came up we finished 9th in our first season up, with a side of far worse quality than this one. I don't think you can measure the gulf in quality from the Premier League to the Championship using Leeds as an example currently. Certainly, it's going to be a hard transition though.

And there has been talk in various media outlets that Farke will be relieved of his duties in the summer. Wonder if it has anything to do with taking Norwich up twice only for it to end in immediate relegation but on both occasions he wasn't backed by the board with hard cash, a problem he surely wouldn't face at Leeds.

I don't think any reasonable game-attending Leeds fan would be happy if Farke was dismissed right now. There was vocal support for him at the ground last night. It would also be bad business IMO. Ruthlessly sacking a manager that just won you promotion would send a bad message to potential future managers, and make it harder for us to recruit in the long term. Also, the source of that rumour is the Daily Mail I believe, so possibly not worth paying any attention to. Our current owners are also a lot more sensible than previous regimes.

Norwich made minimal investment for the step-up to the PL under Farke, so it's no surprise it ended how it did. I think Farke will get better backing at Leeds, but there are still risks whenever you make signings, so even with investment it still may not work out. Even if it doesn't work out next season, I'd still want to keep Farke to help us make a quick return to the PL.

 

[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). Then Kev Hayes scored a wonder goal catching the Hyde keeper well off his line and lobbiing over the keeper from near the halfway line.

After their wins in the group play-offs of the Northern Premier League...Premier Division, Stockton Town and Worksop Town will meet in the play-off final.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

After their wins in the [group] play-offs of the Northern Premier League...Premier Division, Stockton Town and Worksop Town will meet in the play-off final.

Or maybe not. Rumours now circulating that Stockton Town may possibly have played an ineligible player in last night's Northern Premier League play off semi-final 1-0 win vs Guiseley. Seems their club captain, who was sent off on Saturday in the final match of the regular league season against Hyde United, as mentioned upthread by @bearhugger, should perhaps have been suspended with effect from last night's match. Watch this space!

 

[DarloRich]

After their wins in the group play-offs of the Northern Premier League...Premier Division, Stockton Town and Worksop Town will meet in the play-off final.

Or maybe not. Rumours now circulating that Stockton Town may possibly have played an ineligible player in last night's Northern Premier League play off semi-final 1-0 win vs Guiseley. Seems their club captain, who was sent off on Saturday in the final match of the regular league season against Hyde United, as mentioned upthread by @bearhugger, should perhaps have been suspended with effect from last night's match. Watch this space!

They have been charged:

STOCKTON Town have been charged by the FA for fielding an illegible player in their play-off semi-final victory over Guiseley....

....An FA spokesman said on Wednesday: “We conducted an investigation into this matter, and we have charged Stockton Town FC and Adam Nicholson alleging that he appeared in the Northern Premier League Play-off Semi-finals while ineligible.

"We have requested that their responses be provided by midday on Thursday 1 May 2025.”

Nicholson was sent off during Saturday's home win over Hyde, but Stockton's understanding was that his suspension wasn't due to start until Saturday, May 3 - as per the FA portal.

Stockton say they are "confident the club has acted correctly and in full compliance with FA notifications and procedures".

Stockton Town situation explained as club charged after play-off disciplinary matter

Stockton Town have been charged by the FA for fielding an illegible player in their play-off semi-final victory over Guiseley.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

 

[bearhugger]

Or maybe not. Rumours now circulating that Stockton Town may possibly have played an ineligible player in last night's Northern Premier League play off semi-final 1-0 win vs Guiseley. Seems their club captain, who was sent off on Saturday in the final match of the regular league season against Hyde United, as mentioned upthread by @bearhugger, should perhaps have been suspended with effect from last night's match. Watch this space!

They have been charged:

Stockton Town situation explained as club charged after play-off disciplinary matter

Stockton Town have been charged by the FA for fielding an illegible player in their play-off semi-final victory over Guiseley.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

I've just seen this news on Facebook. From what *I* can make out, there seems to be some debate as to when the suspension of Adam Nicholson starts. There seems to be an indication that the ban doesn't start until the 3rd of May but of course we shall have to see what the FA decide. Naturally I will be gutted if it goes against us and Guiseley go through to the play off final.

 

[Haywain]

From what *I* can make out, there seems to be some debate as to when the suspension of Adam Nicholson starts.

It’s clear that it started prior to last night’s match.

There seems to be an indication that the ban doesn't start until the 3rd of May

It appears that the FA software said that. The question will revolve around who should have known better.

 

[PauloDavesi]

With their 2-0 win at Blackpool Birmingam City set the EFL record of 108 points for the season.

 

[Cross City]

With their 2-0 win at Blackpool Birmingam City set the EFL record of 108 points for the season.

1 more point means Blues break the global record for points in a season in any fully professional football league.

108 points is now a joint record between Verdy Kawasaki (1995), Red Star Belgrade (2020-21) and Birmingham City (2024-25).

 

[Old Yard Dog]

It’s clear that it started prior to last night’s match.

It appears that the FA software said that. The question will revolve around who should have known better.

You keep telling us that the FA's procedures are "clear" Haywain. The fact that their software seems to be at odds with their rulebook is just more evidence that the FA couldn't organize a p**s up in a brewery. And you expect lower league club secretary's to faultlessly navigate this minefield?

You can bet your bottom dollar that the FA won't take responsibility for this and will rule against Stockton. The fairest outcome would be to replay the Guiseley match.

 

[Haywain]

You keep telling us that the FA's procedures are "clear" Haywain.

Procedures and software are not the same thing. In the previous case you appeared to be referring to the timescales involved in the FA dealing with the Jersey case, and I see nothing to suggest that they had not done so in accordance with the rule book. In the Stockton case, the rule book looks pretty clear to me but I have already acknowledged that the software said something different - you have quoted that statement in your post.

 

[SuspectUsual]

I’m stunned that the Stockton secretary saw what he claims to have seen on the FA portal and didn’t think “that’s a bit odd” and check with someone before such an important game.

 

[Haywain]

I’m stunned that the Stockton secretary saw what he claims to have seen on the FA portal and didn’t think “that’s a bit odd” and check with someone before such an important game.

I'm not. Although the rule book is clear, if it's not a situation you have come up against before I don't see why you would think there would anything different about when a suspension would start - which everybody knows to be 7 days after the sending off. You would look at the web portal and see that it confirms your expectations. I also suspect that after the player was sent off at the weekend there was a lot of discussion about how he would miss the final if they got to it, and that would also confirm those beliefs.

 

[Old Yard Dog]

Of course this problem wouldn't have arisen if the powers that be weren't so keen to schedule all-important play-off matches just 3 days after the end of the regular season. This gives clubs very little time to prepare their squads or arrange ticketing, staffing, catering, programmes, etc.

It's also a bit OTT that the team finishing seventh is given a dog's chance of promotion in a 1-up automatic league. Should Southend (67 pts) or Gateshead (66 pts) really be given a chance of promotion to the EFL ahead of second placed York (93 pts)? And I say this as a Bradford fan who twice qualified for the NLN play-offs in 7th place before our recent double relegation to an overglorified parks league.

 

[SuspectUsual]

I'm not. Although the rule book is clear, if it's not a situation you have come up against before I don't see why you would think there would anything different about when a suspension would start - which everybody knows to be 7 days after the sending off. You would look at the web portal and see that it confirms your expectations. I also suspect that after the player was sent off at the weekend there was a lot of discussion about how he would miss the final if they got to it, and that would also confirm those beliefs.

If you knew what the rules said, and then the portal contradicted it, you’d not check?!?

 

[DarloRich]

And you expect lower league club secretary's to faultlessly navigate this minefield?

Yes. The responsibility comes with the job. Harsh but true.

You can bet your bottom dollar that the FA won't take responsibility for this and will rule against Stockton. The fairest outcome would be to replay the Guiseley match.

The fairest outcome would be to impose whatever sanction the rules indicate.

Should Southend (67 pts) or Gateshead (66 pts) really be given a chance of promotion to the EFL ahead of second placed York (93 pts)?

Yes (if I am 7th).
No ( if I am 2nd).

 

[Haywain]

If you knew what the rules said, and then the portal contradicted it, you’d not check?!?

That's not what I was trying to say. It was that if you thought you knew what the rules said and the portal confirmed it, you wouldn't check. The Stockton secretary has my sympathy in this.

 

[SuspectUsual]

It's also a bit OTT that the team finishing seventh is given a dog's chance of promotion in a 1-up automatic league. Should Southend (67 pts) or Gateshead (66 pts) really be given a chance of promotion to the EFL ahead of second placed York (93 pts)?

It’s obviously designed to earn a few quid and prolong more teams’ seasons, but compared to the “normal” playoffs structure what’s good is (a) the second and third teams earn a first round bye and (b) all games are one offs with the higher placed teams at home, so arguably it confers more advantage on the higher finishing team than in the football league.

The far bigger issue is the fact that it’s only two up two down rather than three or even four.

(And re promotion / relegation numbers, the anomaly of three rather than four teams between the championship and league one still hasn’t been fixed)

 

[Haywain]

The far bigger issue is the fact that it’s only two up two down rather than three or even four.

I suspect if it was 3 or 4 up that would result in teams in 8th or 9th place getting involved in play-offs!

(And re promotion / relegation numbers, the anomaly of three rather than four teams between the championship and league one still hasn’t been fixed)

It could be argued that the anomaly is in having 4 up/down between League One and League Two.

 

[SuspectUsual]

It could be argued that the anomaly is in having 4 up/down between League One and League Two

I don’t think so

Before the premier league went to 20 teams, 3 teams moved between divisions where one of them contained 22 teams, and 4 teams between divisions where both contained 24 teams.

The change to a 20 team premier league created a 24 team championship, so the precedent of four up / four down should have been followed

 

[Haywain]

I don’t think so

Before the premier league went to 20 teams, 3 teams moved between divisions where one of them contained 22 teams, and 4 teams between divisions where both contained 24 teams.

The change to a 20 team premier league created a 24 team championship, so the precedent of four up / four down should have been followed

That's your point of view and that's fine, but there is an alternative view. League Two doesn't have four down and the Championship doesn't have four up, that would suggest that League One is the anomaly. It's all academic anyway, as the Championship clubs are not going to vote for more relegation places any more than League Two clubs are going to.

 

[d9009alycidon]

Proof that Scottish football is bananas! Homeless div 2 club Clyde (who used to play at Broadwood stadiumin Cumbernauld) will continue to play at Hamilton next year, while Hamilton, due to a dispute with the stadium owner will play at Broadwood! Crazy.

 

[DarloRich]

The Stockton secretary has my sympathy in this.

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

My club lost out on the play offs one year as we had to few seats and misunderstood the deadlines for increasing them. We have also fielded a player without international clearance. You have to wear it.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Being a club secretary at that level does require a lot of dedication and attention detail, because the whole situation is far more fluid with players moving between clubs a lot more (no windows, loads of non-contract players, seven days notice of approach etc) and they have to be super careful when signing a player about any suspensions still in force. Players have a habit of saying "nah, nothing to worry about" when they're still suspended!

 

[yorkie]

...It's also a bit OTT that the team finishing seventh is given a dog's chance of promotion in a 1-up automatic league. Should Southend (67 pts) or Gateshead (66 pts) really be given a chance of promotion to the EFL ahead of second placed York (93 pts)?..

Well, obviously not however the underlying problem is that there should be 3 teams going up, but there are only 2 promotion spots. That needs to change.