[Devongone]

well almost.

Next step should be for the EFL to vote Barrow in …… clubs to be instructed to do so.

There will be no relegation or promotion in National League if it has any sense. Next season we'll be in a 23 team league. Don't see how the National League can justify promotions when the rest of non-league has stopped. But we are the feeder to the EFL so whatever they decide should take precedence. Opinion.

[Lord Snooty]

What I don't understand.....

Why?

What about the pyramid system?

Is this all down to money?

Is this another case of lesser clubs being shafted by the mega rich clubs?

[Dancingwilldoit]

The fun and games will start now. Notts County not at all happy and York top of NL North but have played 2 more games than 2nd.
I agree with what you say Dev but cant see it being that simple. This is football we are talking about.

[spireitematt]

I expect there is going to be a lot of arguing and even court battles in the foreseeable future.

[Devongone]

Jersey had won all their non-league games when football was stopped. If York and Notts County are allowed to kick off agin this, then there will be tremors right down the pyramid. If they promote from Nat North and South that will mean Fylde get relegated won't it? You think they won't go mental, pushed down when their entire aim is to reach the EFL? If the EFL want Barrow fine, they'll be back with us as soon as football mania overtakes virus mania. They don't have Accrington's chairman to keep them in money.

I can't see the EFL wanting the hassle of relegating Stevenage, that ends any hopes of the National League acting autonomously. They can't promote two clubs if the EFL only wants one and they can hardly relegate three from the National League and promote three between the two divisions of North and South. BUT if the National League hadn't made this move their clubs would have either had no players had the season re-started in July, OR played with completely newly-recruited teams, as most player contracts would have ended. So how would that have been fair?

If a war had stopped the entire country teams wouldn't have been moaning as their players would have been too busy getting conscripted. The country has stopped, even if it is a virus to which the world is over-reacting. What if the virus stayed for three years, would they still be saying pick-up where we left off? Would Harrogate want Jon Stead at 40 however much leading their line after three years of idleness?

If Notts County whinge they should simply be told that they weren't even above Harrogate who CAN'T go up because their pitch wouldn't be allowed into the EFL. Essentially they aren't going up, because, much like us, they were fairly shit.

[Dancingwilldoit]

Report on Radio Sheffield today that Dave Allen may be prepared to loan the Trust the money they need to get the purchase deal over the line. This is so they can take over and prepare for next season. Not seen anything anywhere else and am surprised there is nothing about it on Bobs Board. If its true then hats off to Dave Allen.
The rumour is the trust were borrowing funds from a council or councils which is why they are now stalling.
Over the last couple of weeks 2 statements have come out of the club (Carson) which were more informative and sociable than everything we have had in total over the last 10 years. Is this a fundamental change of direction or what? Has somebody finally realised the club does have a fan base?

[Devongone]

I must say I find loaning the Trust money in order to enable the purchase to go through looks thoroughly suspicious to me when the loan is coming from the vendor. So instead of the club being tied to Dave Allen, the Trust which owns the club will be tied to him?

This seems only slightly better than the Newcastle deal of selling out to Big Oil the very moment the oil price hits rock bottom.

Anyway we can't shake hands on a deal - social distancing.

[spireitematt]

Simple solution to all of this.

• Pick a neutral venue
  
• 5 players plus 1 GK
  
• Play all remaining matches as penalty shootouts. So if it's level after 5 penalties each then each team should be given 1pt and if a team wins the penalty shootout then they get the 3pts and there will be no goal difference.
  

They could show it on BBC or ITV or even C4. Would probably take a whole day. Could start at 9am and it would be finished at about 6pm. If they used both goals it could be finished even sooner.

[Lord Snooty]

Simple solution to all of this.

• Pick a neutral venue
  
• 5 players plus 1 GK
  
• Play all remaining matches as penalty shootouts. So if it's level after 5 penalties each then each team should be given 1pt and if a team wins the penalty shootout then they get the 3pts and there will be no goal difference.
  

They could show it on BBC or ITV or even C4. Would probably take a whole day. Could start at 9am and it would be finished at about 6pm. If they used both goals it could be finished even sooner.

Best idea yet. Much better than just cancelling everything.  

[Devongone]

As the original hater of penalty shoot-outs I'd rather finish the season with a football version of It's A Knockout, poor old Stuart Hall died of child abuse, but hey Piers Morgan or someone could commentate.

Imagine the reaction of a team currently sitting safely in mid-table that loses every single penalty shoot-out and ends up getting relegated. I think it might be the worst idea since phlogiston.

Corinthians used to be so ashamed of conceding a penalty their goalie moved to one side to allow the opposition to score. So they'd be at a disadvantage.

On the other hand it would hugely favour Chesterfield as we would name six outfield players because Will Evans could take one and go in goal. Man City would be interesting too as Ederson is apparently far their best penalty taker, although from what I've seen Daffy Duck would make their best five …..