2019/20 National League North

[Railway Blue]

After the way a fair number of their fans have continued to behave through this season, I don't have any sympathy for them whatsoever to be honest.

Not sure what you mean? I was at both fixtures this season and there were a fair few psychos at their place , but I just thought that was what people were like from there.

 

[TonyM]

Not sure what you mean? I was at both fixtures this season and there were a fair few psychos at their place , but I just thought that was what people were like from there.

Try not to tar us all with that brush, yes we have a few idiots but what non-league side doesn't? We also have very little control over our owner and given that he is unable to rant in the programme for the time being, seems to have found other outlets for whatever the latest perceived slight against the club is.

Personally I hope the National come to the right decision today for step 2 and align us with step 3 and below ie part-time football and if they want to let step 1 and above wait it out using furloughing then leave them to it with no promotion / relegation between steps 1&2 until end of 2020/21 season.

 

[Railway Blue]

Try not to tar us all with that brush, yes we have a few idiots but what non-league side doesn't? We also have very little control over our owner and given that he is unable to rant in the programme for the time being, seems to have found other outlets for whatever the latest perceived slight against the club is.

Personally I hope the National come to the right decision today for step 2 and align us with step 3 and below ie part-time football and if they want to let step 1 and above wait it out using furloughing then leave them to it with no promotion / relegation between steps 1&2 until end of 2020/21 season.

Don't you want to go up?
Btw how long has the current chairman been in situ?

 

[TonyM]

Don't you want to go up?
Btw how long has the current chairman been in situ?

I don't want to go up on a 'technicality' - still lots to play for in NLN and I just think it's fairer to start again than applying PPG, alternative could be to double up the season ie play 84 games across the two seasons, which would give an initial advantage to the teams who have done well this season but no solution is going to please everyone. We have still had a fantastic season, way beyond expectation, whatever the outcome.

Mr Cleeve took over before the start of the 16/17 season and appointed Ian Culverhouse manager for the back end of that campaign which allowed him to assess what we had (not a lot) and bring in his players for the 17/18 season. We played some great football from the off but an incredibly hard division saw Hereford promoted, Slough beat us in the playoff final and the other three playoff sides, Kettering, Weymouth and ourselves all went up the following year. The 18/19 season started without Culverhouse who had a brief stint at Grantham but when he returned so did the style of play and results and we comfortably made and won the super-playoff.

 

[Railway Blue]

I don't want to go up on a 'technicality' - still lots to play for in NLN and I just think it's fairer to start again than applying PPG, alternative could be to double up the season ie play 84 games across the two seasons, which would give an initial advantage to the teams who have done well this season but no solution is going to please everyone. We have still had a fantastic season, way beyond expectation, whatever the outcome.

Mr Cleeve took over before the start of the 16/17 season and appointed Ian Culverhouse manager for the back end of that campaign which allowed him to assess what we had (not a lot) and bring in his players for the 17/18 season. We played some great football from the off but an incredibly hard division saw Hereford promoted, Slough beat us in the playoff final and the other three playoff sides, Kettering, Weymouth and ourselves all went up the following year. The 18/19 season started without Culverhouse who had a brief stint at Grantham but when he returned so did the style of play and results and we comfortably made and won the super-playoff.

Is he from the area?

 

[Inactive]

Hi everyone. I hope you're all well. I'm hoping that you'd be able to potentially help to either share or contribute to a fundraising appeal that has been set up by Leamington FC. Having recently made his 400th appearance for Leamington, James Mace has had the devastating news that he has ruptured his Medial and Anterior Cruciate Ligaments (ACL). James works as a tree surgeon and his injury has meant he cannot work. His insurance company will pay a small sum each month, but not enough to sustain his young family and there would be no contribution to surgery costs. Would be very much appreciated if you could help in any way.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/james-mace-acl-reconstruction

 

[TonyM]

Is he from the area?

No but did own a hotel locally when he took over. Big Chelsea fan who was looking for a club, had been linked with Wrexham before doing the deal at Lynn.

If you have some time spare over the bank holiday he is now producing a podcast. Link here https://anchor.fm/stephen-cleeve

 

[Railway Blue]

No but did own a hotel locally when he took over. Big Chelsea fan who was looking for a club, had been linked with Wrexham before doing the deal at Lynn.

If you have some time spare over the bank holiday he is now producing a podcast. Link here https://anchor.fm/stephen-cleeve

Thanks TonyM. I enjoyed my trip to KL earlier this season. B & B in Peterborough and visited some decent towns in my 4 days away. Also our 2nd half performance was probably the best we've played this season. I hope you and York are given the promotion on ppg.

 

[Pogogacy]

Thanks TonyM. I enjoyed my trip to KL earlier this season. B & B in Peterborough and visited some decent towns in my 4 days away. Also our 2nd half performance was probably the best we've played this season. I hope you and York are given the promotion on ppg.

My preference is still to finish the season however and whenever we can, but if that proves impossible I think PPG is the second fairest solution.

It would be a travesty to simply null and void a season 80% of the way through when so many teams have invested so much effort (not to mention money) chasing promotion. The 30+ games we've already played have got to count for something. Ultimately, ourselves and Kings Lynn have consistently been the best two teams in the division pretty much all season and so, if the season can't be concluded, I don't think anyone could reasonably begrudge us being the two teams promoted.

 

[Alty Pieman]

My preference is still to finish the season however and whenever we can, but if that proves impossible I think PPG is the second fairest solution.

It would be a travesty to simply null and void a season 80% of the way through when so many teams have invested so much effort (not to mention money) chasing promotion. The 30+ games we've already played have got to count for something. Ultimately, ourselves and Kings Lynn have consistently been the best two teams in the division pretty much all season and so, if the season can't be concluded, I don't think anyone could reasonably begrudge us being the two teams promoted.

I agree that is the fairest solution for the automatic place, where it gets really difficult is what you do about the team who would have won the playoffs. So using ppg for that place (and the second relegation spot) is where the real arguments start.

 

[chipmunx]

I agree that is the fairest solution for the automatic place, where it gets really difficult is what you do about the team who would have won the playoffs. So using ppg for that place (and the second relegation spot) is where the real arguments start.

that's why the play-offs still happening will probably be an option - even if it's just 2nd v 5th and 3rd v 4th. Then the 2 winners playing off... all behind closed doors of course - and league position based on PPG...

 

[Lucky Bobble]

My preference is still to finish the season however and whenever we can, but if that proves impossible I think PPG is the second fairest solution.

It would be a travesty to simply null and void a season 80% of the way through when so many teams have invested so much effort (not to mention money) chasing promotion. The 30+ games we've already played have got to count for something. Ultimately, ourselves and Kings Lynn have consistently been the best two teams in the division pretty much all season and so, if the season can't be concluded, I don't think anyone could reasonably begrudge us being the two teams promoted.

Erm... 2nd place wins you only a playoff spot - not promotion.

And how do you sort out who would have come top - King's Lynn based on PPG, but look at their form.

I could say that Brackley are likely to have come 3rd this season - the 3rd season in a row we'd be in that position. Theoretically in a fair system that should count for something, but clearly football can never work like that.

For what it is worth I would like to see York go up, simply because otherwise I think they'll dominate next year - but they can't just be awarded the place.

I'd prefer to see a proper playoff system:
1st & 2nd through to a final
3rd & 4th through to the semi-final
5th-8th playoff in a 1 leg quarter final to reach the semis etc
Highest team league finish hosts the match

But if you're going to have promotion, how do the National League sort out relegation?

Also read somewhere that in this vote on ending the system each National League club gets one vote, but the whole of National North's votes r only worth 5 votes. Is that true?!

 

[chipmunx]

Erm... 2nd place wins you only a playoff spot - not promotion.

And how do you sort out who would have come top - King's Lynn based on PPG, but look at their form.

I could say that Brackley are likely to have come 3rd this season - the 3rd season in a row we'd be in that position. Theoretically in a fair system that should count for something, but clearly football can never work like that.

For what it is worth I would like to see York go up, simply because otherwise I think they'll dominate next year - but they can't just be awarded the place.

I'd prefer to see a proper playoff system:
1st & 2nd through to a final
3rd & 4th through to the semi-final
5th-8th playoff in a 1 leg quarter final to reach the semis etc
Highest team league finish hosts the match

But if you're going to have promotion, how do the National League sort out relegation?

Also read somewhere that in this vote on ending the system each National League club gets one vote, but the whole of National North's votes r only worth 5 votes. Is that true?!

The National League has 24 votes, NLN and NLS 4 votes each apparently.

 

[Pogogacy]

Erm... 2nd place wins you only a playoff spot - not promotion.

And how do you sort out who would have come top - King's Lynn based on PPG, but look at their form.

I'm working on the proviso that if the season is getting scrapped so too are the play-offs, in which case the best solution would seem to me that the top 2 on PPG would be promoted automatically. I'm not sure I understand the reasoning behind scrapping the season but still having the play-offs? Surely you can either play football- in which case you finish the entire season, play-offs included- or you can't and have to use some other metric to sort out the final positions and promotion/relegation (PPG seems to be the most popular and fair solution).

Regarding how you sort out who would be champions, it would have to be Kings Lynn as they have the highest PPG. Yes, it's slightly unfair on us as we're denied the opportunity to catch them (I'd feel pretty confident on current form). By the same token, it's slightly unfair on yourselves, Boston, Altrincham etc. as those teams will also feel that they have an outside chance of getting 1st or 2nd spot if the season is allowed to play out. It's not a perfect solution, and it's very much 2nd best to simply finishing the season. However, it's a hell of a lot better than null and void and I really can't think of any better alternative if the season can't be concluded.

 

[chipmunx]

I'm working on the proviso that if the season is getting scrapped so too are the play-offs, in which case the best solution would seem to me that the top 2 on PPG would be promoted automatically. I'm not sure I understand the reasoning behind scrapping the season but still having the play-offs? Surely you can either play football- in which case you finish the entire season, play-offs included- or you can't and have to use some other metric to sort out the final positions and promotion/relegation (PPG seems to be the most popular and fair solution).

Regarding how you sort out who would be champions, it would have to be Kings Lynn as they have the highest PPG. Yes, it's slightly unfair on us as we're denied the opportunity to catch them (I'd feel pretty confident on current form). By the same token, it's slightly unfair on yourselves, Boston, Altrincham etc. as those teams will also feel that they have an outside chance of getting 1st or 2nd spot if the season is allowed to play out. It's not a perfect solution, and it's very much 2nd best to simply finishing the season. However, it's a hell of a lot better than null and void and I really can't think of any better alternative if the season can't be concluded.

NLN is the only messy one of the National leagues in that the top teams don't stay the same on PPG which might make the NLN vote interesting and possibly different from the other 2 leagues.

 

[Minstermen central]

Whatever happens someone will be upset,Kings Lynn form was awful and don’t believe they would even finish in top 3.Altrincham are the form team and brackley been consistent all season.York had all key players back,but somebody’s arse would of fallen apart that’s why PPG would be best but we should finish league.
Nation league is also interesting Notts county would of finished top 2 so Harrogate would be happy with it ending PPG.

 

[Alty Pieman]

Here is the Alty chairmans view on things,...

In Sunday's Non-League Paer, Altrincham FC chairman, Grahame Rowley, says "I don't see any football being played before May or June at the earliest. So it's sensible to end the season now and give everyone a bit of certainty about things. What comes after that is a bit more contentious.

Personally, I think the question of promotion and relegation is one that the National League could answer if it wanted to.

Unfortunately, we're beholden to the gods from above and it negates our own body's ability to make a conclusive decision. For instance, it's all very well us saying 'Well, we'll promote two teams'. But if the EFL turns round and refuses to relegate anyone we have no say in that. Equally if the EFL want to relegate a team, or two, the National League wouldn't want to say, 'Sorry, we aren't putting anyone up'. It's a real predicament.

Personally I'm an advocate of the null and void option and the guidance on that should have come from the FA as it did with levels 3-7. I think they should have done exactly the same with the National League.

There's never going to be a totally fair way of doing this... Nobody actually knows what would have happened. At the end of the day we don't want to lose our autonomy as a competition. Otherwise we could find ourselves in a position where the start of next season is dictated by the Premier League and EFL.

If they decide they'll finish the league in August, we'll have to wait till October. That wouldn't help anyone at this level"

 

[#Beebot]

"I don't see any football being played before May or June at the earliest. So it's sensible to end the season now and give everyone a bit of certainty about things.

The second sentence doesn't logically follow on from the first, at all.

 

[Alty Pieman]

The second sentence doesn't logically follow on from the first, at all.

Makes sense to me,.. all NLN players contracts end on 30 April but at present there seems like a possibility that EFL and NL might carry on which in turn might mean NLN players contracts needing extending ? But it wouldnt be the first time our chairman has been accused of being illogical

 

[Railway Blue]

Chester fan and benefactor Stuart Murphy, who has pledged £1m for infrastructure improvements, funded a couple of transfer fees, and made other significant donations and pledges has mooted the idea that he wants to take over the running of the club. We are a fan-owned club that made rapid progress upon formation but have hit the buffers after reaching the National League Premier division and are now back-sliding. I'm 70 in a couple of weeks time and had given up the chance of ever seeing my team back in the EFL. This may be our last opportunity for that, but there is serious opposition to it. I've supported Chester FC since my first game back in April 1960 and cannot make my mind up.

 

[Alty Pieman]

Chester fan and benefactor Stuart Murphy, who has pledged £1m for infrastructure improvements, funded a couple of transfer fees, and made other significant donations and pledges has mooted the idea that he wants to take over the running of the club. We are a fan-owned club that made rapid progress upon formation but have hit the buffers after reaching the National League Premier division and are now back-sliding. I'm 70 in a couple of weeks time and had given up the chance of ever seeing my team back in the EFL. This may be our last opportunity for that, but there is serious opposition to it. I've supported Chester FC since my first game back in April 1960 and cannot make my mind up.

Is he related to Stephen Vaughan

 

[Bluandwite]

Chester fan and benefactor Stuart Murphy, who has pledged £1m for infrastructure improvements, funded a couple of transfer fees, and made other significant donations and pledges has mooted the idea that he wants to take over the running of the club. We are a fan-owned club that made rapid progress upon formation but have hit the buffers after reaching the National League Premier division and are now back-sliding. I'm 70 in a couple of weeks time and had given up the chance of ever seeing my team back in the EFL. This may be our last opportunity for that, but there is serious opposition to it. I've supported Chester FC since my first game back in April 1960 and cannot make my mind up.

You won't need to as it wont get that far.

Let's be honest every owner we've had other than ourselves in relatively recent times has been a disaster, all of them shafted us and left us in tatters. Plenty of clubs have terrible owners who hurt them badly, but I genuinely don't believe there's another that's had to endure such a succession of them like us.

Don't believe Murphy is a bad guy, but he is pie in the sky.

 

[TonyM]

Don't know anything about Stuart Murphy but, for me, stick with fan owned if you can. The world, and football, is up in the air at the present time and I think fan-owned clubs are probably the best placed to survive and probably thrive in the post-COVID era as I think lots of benefactor model clubs will suddenly find their benefactor has bigger worries and demands on their cash. Hopefully the authorities will use this as an opportunity to bring in proper FFP / salary caps to stop the financial doping all the way down to step 2 but I am not holding my breath

 

[Railway Blue]

You won't need to as it wont get that far.

Let's be honest every owner we've had other than ourselves in relatively recent times has been a disaster, all of them shafted us and left us in tatters. Plenty of clubs have terrible owners who hurt them badly, but I genuinely don't believe there's another that's had to endure such a succession of them like us.

Don't believe Murphy is a bad guy, but he is pie in the sky.

Part of me has already accepted that I'll never see us play League football again. I think back to the early days of me supporting Chester when I used to go to the ground midweek evenings to watch the Reserves as a 9 or 10 year old. I'd go in the Grandstand for 2d. It was my only early experience of sitting at a football match. I was absolutely addicted from day one. Fans, me included, even used to congregate at the side of the Kop at half time in Division 4 games to watch the A team. Going to an away game was a real treat. I suffer with football-related anxiety, but haven't for the past 2 months and I'm grateful for that.

 

[Railway Blue]

You won't need to as it wont get that far.

Let's be honest every owner we've had other than ourselves in relatively recent times has been a disaster, all of them shafted us and left us in tatters. Plenty of clubs have terrible owners who hurt them badly, but I genuinely don't believe there's another that's had to endure such a succession of them like us.

Don't believe Murphy is a bad guy, but he is pie in the sky.

I'm 70 next week and it will be the only realistic chance we have of getting back in the EFL. It's ok for those that are ok with washing around in the regional leagues, but I'm not.

 

[Bluandwite]

I'm 70 next week and it will be the only realistic chance we have of getting back in the EFL. It's ok for those that are ok with washing around in the regional leagues, but I'm not.

Dave Powell's last two tweets below, should all be put to bed later today.

Don’t expect there to be a statement this evening from Chester regarding Stuart Murphy. Today was deadline to pay monies from commitments to press ahead with next stage of takeover bid. Understand as of this morning nothing had changed. Expect clarity tomorrow on the situation.
5:43 PM · May 11, 2020

Expect we may see the closing of this particular chapter later today.
9:19 AM · May 12, 2020

 

[Kenneth Dodd]

Well we dodged a bullet there fan owned it is

 

[Railway Blue]

Dave Powell's last two tweets below, should all be put to bed later today.

Don’t expect there to be a statement this evening from Chester regarding Stuart Murphy. Today was deadline to pay monies from commitments to press ahead with next stage of takeover bid. Understand as of this morning nothing had changed. Expect clarity tomorrow on the situation.
5:43 PM · May 11, 2020

Expect we may see the closing of this particular chapter later today.
9:19 AM · May 12, 2020

I'm not surprised he pulled out. After putting in £650k he's severed association with the club and I'm not surprised if he's read Deva Chat I would pull out too. So we carry on going from one crisis to another. I'm not pro or against him. We should have listened to what he had to say. People say he's not a supporter when he's in the Legend's Lounge most home games.

 

[GEORGE]

Part of me has already accepted that I'll never see us play League football again. I think back to the early days of me supporting Chester when I used to go to the ground midweek evenings to watch the Reserves as a 9 or 10 year old. I'd go in the Grandstand for 2d. It was my only early experience of sitting at a football match. I was absolutely addicted from day one. Fans, me included, even used to congregate at the side of the Kop at half time in Division 4 games to watch the A team. Going to an away game was a real treat. I suffer with football-related anxiety, but haven't for the past 2 months and I'm grateful for that.

I know your not but I still think of you as a football league side. Remember as a kid and watching the teleprinter and you were a fixture in the 4th division for years. Always thought you had a good away following and loved going to Sealand Road. In fact loved going to Chester itself. Still think You,Wrexham,Bradford PA,Stockport & Southport will be back one day.

 

[DarkSithLord]

I know your not but I still think of you as a football league side. Remember as a kid and watching the teleprinter and you were a fixture in the 4th division for years. Always thought you had a good away following and loved going to Sealand Road. In fact loved going to Chester itself. Still think You,Wrexham,Bradford PA,Stockport & Southport will be back one day.

No way Bradford PA/Southport will return