Decisions being made

[blue nige]

The national league will be told which way to go If this was not the case why would they meet the EFL and the FA ?
The chairman of Dover is also on the board of the National League and he shouldn't be making any remarks about possible decisions as this is completely unprofessional and may influence other club's.
I hope our club is taking note of this because if it was decided to null and void ( don't believe this will happen) then he needs to be taken to task if there's any legal action to be taken by our club !

[Suffolk Blue]

Ian Dennis is a guest on the latest NL Full Time podcast
https://audioboom.com/posts/7595256-wha ... -happening

Based on that tweet Adam, you know what I'm going to say about Ian Dennis.

Its only a couple of days since said reporter was confirming the NFL statement that they were keen to support 2 up. That was and remains their official position. Whilst null and void theoretically remains on the NL table - because everything remains on the table - the rest of the footballing world has since moved on. Even the more pessimistic of us that envisage a stitch up at every turn seem to have moved on to assuming a play-off stitch up is more likely than null and void. Such is the NL.

So we know at least three clubs that for different reasons will want null and void Dover, Bhamwood and Fylde. You can add Chorley and Ebbsfleet to that list. I can also be pretty sure that the owners of Barrow, Harrogate, Notts County, Halifax, Stockport, Barnet will not be. I'd be really interested if the CEO of Notts County came out and said he thinks the NL should void but I doubt that's going to happen. It would rip the NL apart.

For the rest of the NL, its a case of convenience. That's why the 2 up has always been important. If you had any illusions of future promotion you'd have to think very hard before turning your back on that. Especially if the EFL framework agreement comes with a phone call from Rick Parry to the NL. Further as there is already no relegation from NLN/NLS I cant see what earthly reason they would have to void. Promotion is their only option.

The reason why null and void has been chosen in the strapline is partly because that would be the real story, the real shocker. Null and void does not invalidate our promotion hopes. The real story is not about us. It would be about a league who having fell into line as a superior league asked it to do, suddenly broke ranks and bit the hand that feeds it thus jeopardising its future relationship with the EFL. Lots of mileage there.

The fact that Dennis has chosen this moment to air this subject indicates that he has personally acknowledged that the story might be about to move on from the EFL to a big bun fight in the NL and is introducing the runners and riders for this. Actually putting our name in the tweet is probably deliberate. It actually suggests that he knows how active this forum is and may even suggest he's reading what's being said and knows that his words will attract listeners. Job done. He probably also knows that prospective Harrogate listeners who have as much to "lose" as anyone are not the most socially media savvy. No need to headline them then.

[HenneysKnee]

Why do Dover want Null and Void? Just because they couldn’t organise proper transport?

[Hadrian]

I'd be really interested if the CEO of Notts County came out and said he thinks the NL should void but I doubt that's going to happen.

He - and others - may do so when the NL proposal becomes public.

[barrowaberdeen]

Ian Dennis (who hasn't been at all optimistic on our chances throughout) is only saying in that podcast that there might have to be change of view amongst the NL chairman. Who undoubtedly would have preferred to vote for null and void if there were no playoffs and still might.

He's gently pointed out how ridiculously self destructive that would be for Non League football as a whole, especially if the EFL confirm relegation. Also, the FA Council allowing an extension shows support for the general principle.

As an aside, I think the PFA should pay for the tests in the lower leagues and NL. Cash rich organisation, protecting the livelihoods, health and safety of it's membership. Isn't that what a union should do?

The direction of travel is better than it was for us but the potential stitch ups are still there.

[NORTHERNSOUL]

I thought null and void was kicked into touch. According to the above it is festering below the surface. Someone make a decision. Maybe June 8th we might have a clue.

Of course, it's been kicked into touch

Why would any club except those who would directly benefit from it like Dogfood Dave vote for it ?

I think clubs have been telling the likes of DD that they will vote for N and V just to get him and a couple of others off their backs but in reality have no intention whatsoever of actually doing that.

Would have lots of ramifications like for instance sponsors demanding their money back or at least wanting another year for free to compensate them for a season that didn't apparently happen plus there is the same argument from season ticket holders in that they paid for something that was deemed didn't take place.

Ian Dennis comes across as a decent bloke but it's pretty clear his speciality is sitting on the fence.

Latest rumour yesterday was that NL will follow everything league two will do including unweighted PPG but where they will diverge from the FL is once the final positions are decided the 6 clubs in the playoff positions would be told the cost of taking part playing them behind closed doors and asked to say whether they wish to involved or not and given that with the estimated cost being between 150 and 200k I can see them going straight to a final between Harrogate and Notts Co but Yeovil's fans are saying they would offer to raise half the cost should their club agree to go ahead and take part so I guess we.ll have to see.

I still think the NL are secretly hoping the FL reprieve the bottom club as it will take away their biggest issue killing half a dozen problem birds with one stone but the issue they are ignoring is that the only way that can happen is if it's included as an option for the framework vote which would mean that if the league ever failed to complete in the future there would be no promotions from the NL to League Two that season as the whole point of the framework is that it establishes procedures for a non completed season in the future.

[blue nige]

Barrow Aberdeen is correct to be fair to Ian Dennis he's just replied to a tweet I sent and said all aspects are covered!

[Suffolk Blue]

Thought For the Day (as it is Sunday)

Ian Dennis, Ian Dennis, informant or menace?
Sower of doubt with your tweets of head tennis
Is it your soul that is misunderstood?
Perhaps you provoke though you seek to do good
We Bluebirds do dream of one sunny day whence
Your instincts suffice to get off that fence
And join us in our field of dreams
Teaming with much better teams
When you can then regale the nation
With next year’s fight ‘gainst relegation

[NORTHERNSOUL]

I thought null and void was kicked into touch. According to the above it is festering below the surface. Someone make a decision. Maybe June 8th we might have a clue.

Of course, it's been kicked into touch

Why would any club except those who would directly benefit from it like Dogfood Dave vote for it ?

I think clubs have been telling the likes of DD that they will vote for N and V just to get him and a couple of others off their backs but in reality have no intention whatsoever of actually doing that.

Would have lots of ramifications like for instance sponsors demanding their money back or at least wanting another year for free to compensate them for a season that didn't apparently happen plus there is the same argument from season ticket holders in that they paid for something that was deemed didn't take place.

Ian Dennis comes across as a decent bloke but it's pretty clear his speciality is sitting on the fence.

Latest rumour yesterday was that NL will follow everything league two will do including unweighted PPG but where they will diverge from the FL is once the final positions are decided the 6 clubs in the playoff positions would be told the cost of taking part playing them behind closed doors and asked to say whether they wish to involved or not and given that with the estimated cost being between 150 and 200k I can see them going straight to a final between Harrogate and Notts Co but Yeovil's fans are saying they would offer to raise half the cost should their club agree to go ahead and take part so I guess we.ll have to see.

I still think the NL are secretly hoping the FL reprieve the bottom club as it will take away their biggest issue killing half a dozen problem birds with one stone but the issue they are ignoring is that the only way that can happen is if it's included as an option for the framework vote which would mean that if the league ever failed to complete in the future there would be no promotions from the NL to League Two that season as the whole point of the framework is that it establishes procedures for a non completed season in the future.

Not sure if anyone's seen the animal feed purveyors latest mumblings where he claims that the words " Somewhere to play " can only mean the that the NL has to start next season on August 1st what a load of crap. So long as the NL formally accept the relegated club [ Cant see any issues whatsoever if it was Stevenage might be a different matter if it's Macclesfield and there's no imminent sale ] it won't matter whether they start on August the 1st behind closed doors or January 1st with crowds in so long as they have a plan in place for a full season of National League football for the relegated team to take part in it will meet the FL.s requirements.

And I can see his attack on the four board members including the one from Barrow coming back to bite him on the arse when if for example there could be a situation where if just one NL club [ who finished above them in the league went bust or who indeed asked to be demoted to save cash as has happened in the past ] there could well be decisions needing to made how to resolve the issue and if the clubs then were to vote between relegate 2 and promote 3 or relegate 3 and promote 4 i.m sure it doesn't take a genius to work out that Dave would no doubt be running around trying to garner votes for his preferred option yes that right the one that would save Fylde from relegation.

[Suffolk Blue]

I've ceased worrying too much about what Dastardly Dave actually says. As things get less comfortable for him his protestations increase. He is still looking in the wrong direction - upwards. He really needs to be sharpening his arguments for why Fylde should not be heading downwards. It is typical of people like DD that when the going gets tough they switch seamlessly from extolling the virtues of the Pyramid system and the National League to the point whereby they think the NL is so weak it will fall apart at any moment.

I've already heard it said in the press that the NL have confirmed to the EFL that there is no reason in principle why Stevenage wouldn't be accepted. The way this process is now working from the EFL perspective I would have expected that the EFL to have already sought confirmation from the NL that if they were going to approve their framework, that the NL could accommodate it. And as far as the start date for next season is concerned, well no league has as yet set one, and when they are set I'm sure they will be set with all the incumbent problems in mind.

You cant use a date that has not been set as a reason for making a decision. Think of it in reverse. Barrow are promoted but then go to the EFL saying "sorry guys you cant guarantee a L2 start date or that all of your teams will be ready to meet it. Macclesfield - they look well dodgy. We couldn't commit to going into a League under those circumstances. Better we dont come up.

Suspect this will be the theme for this week. Rocks and boulders being chucked as a means of disrupting a process that seems to be gathering a slow but steady momentum.

[Adam29]

C3A5A56C-6C7A-46AA-9967-FDD7A1CF3D32.jpeg (325.84 KiB) Viewed 5128 times

Wonder if mr Wallace will suddenly be changing his tune. Looks very bleak for Macclesfield now

[HenneysKnee]

I won’t hold my breath but hopefully they make a quick decision on Macclesfields punishment

[whitty1969]

C3A5A56C-6C7A-46AA-9967-FDD7A1CF3D32.jpeg

Wonder if mr Wallace will suddenly be changing his tune. Looks very bleak for Macclesfield now

That's Stevenage saved from relegation. Now how do we get Notts County to the top of the Conference table?

[Suffolk Blue]

Have been convinced for a couple of weeks that the EFL was quietly building a platform on which to hang Macclesfield. The writing was on the wall when unbeknown to their supporters the Macc supporters trust (SST) paid £10000 to the club to pay the 20% of April salaries that were not covered by HMGs furlough scheme as their owner was about to fail to do so. Today I think is also the deadline for payment of the May salaries. I've no idea whether these have been paid either.

This is not just a case of a club facing a demotion through non-payment of debts. This could well be the end for Macc as a club in its current form. A winding up procedure is in place for the middle of June I believe. So for me there is little to rejoice about in Macc's increasing likely demise. Its not a done deal yet because Macc are still appealing an earlier points deduction. But it is significant that they are facing multiple charges. The EFL can now and probably will chuck the book at them.

As for Stevenage well they've always been a much better run club than Macc though Phil Wallace might feel that his interview with the NLP yesterday perhaps could've been avoided. He's now become the L2 champion for 3 up by proxy. I doubt he'd have made too many new friends in L2 by doing that.

If Macc are now likely to be propelled out the League this spells danger for the bottom three clubs in the NL because it would leave the NL two clubs short. As previously noted, I'm increasingly of the opinion that the relegation issue from the NL will be the last potential battle ground.

[whitty1969]

Probably saves Fylde from relegation too