20-05-2016, 09:15
Please spare a thought for Forest Green Rovers of the Vanamara National League.
Yes I know that they are fierce rivals of Cheltenham Town whom I have followed this season but, consider these facts.
1) In the National league only the Champions achieve automatic promotion with the second placed team forced to take part in the play offs.
2) FGR won their first nine games of the season creating a new record of success in the National league. (Perhaps even any other Division that I can think of.)
3) They finished the season with 89 points, a total which would have resulted in automatic promotion in the three Divisions other than the Premiership. (it would have won them Division One.)
4) They finished with nine points more than 4th placed Grimsby Town; the team that ultimately beat them in the final.
Deadly rivals of the Robins or no, they fully deserved to become the very first 'Village Team' playing professional football in Division 2.
I know that most of you will be more concerned with the unfairness of the play off system in the loftier leagues but!
Imagine a situation where only the Champions of the other Divisions received automatic promotion; I think that there would be uproar.
Yes I know that they are fierce rivals of Cheltenham Town whom I have followed this season but, consider these facts.
1) In the National league only the Champions achieve automatic promotion with the second placed team forced to take part in the play offs.
2) FGR won their first nine games of the season creating a new record of success in the National league. (Perhaps even any other Division that I can think of.)
3) They finished the season with 89 points, a total which would have resulted in automatic promotion in the three Divisions other than the Premiership. (it would have won them Division One.)
4) They finished with nine points more than 4th placed Grimsby Town; the team that ultimately beat them in the final.
Deadly rivals of the Robins or no, they fully deserved to become the very first 'Village Team' playing professional football in Division 2.
I know that most of you will be more concerned with the unfairness of the play off system in the loftier leagues but!
Imagine a situation where only the Champions of the other Divisions received automatic promotion; I think that there would be uproar.
Some days I'm top dog, most days I'm just the lamp post.