... and that the National Feeder Leagues (NFL old step 7) would not be allowed to use the extension of the season to the end of June 2021 that has been offered to the Grassroots football. So we are still in the dark of what will be happening for our first team (Step 6 on NLS) and our Reserves (NFL) when we can start to play again after the 29th March 2021 if the Government plans go to plan.

A lot of leagues at all levels are making lots of statements about they are and are not planning, but our First Team league the East Midlands Counties League have chosen to wait until further guidance is released before finalising what they make public.

The Reserves league, the Central Midlands Football League have made the following statement to all clubs:

Colleagues,

First of all, a big thank you to those clubs who responded to my email suggesting various options, to try and complete the 2020-21 season. With the fluid situation we have, including constant changes imposed by the Government and the FA, we now have more of an idea of what we can and cannot do, as well as the timescales involved. I will be writing to all member clubs at a later date to inform them of the proposed restart date once the League Management Committee, have concluded their deliberations on the way forward. This will take into account the fact that players will not have played any competitive football for three months and will therefore allow some time for player preparation.

What the CMFL want to see are clubs and players playing competitive football matches again. The CMFL will be exploring all options and ideas on completing the league season to its fullest extent OR by possibly, bringing in an alternative cup competition for clubs.

The clubs in the Premier Division ‘North and South’ have now been offered the possibility of an extension to June 30th as the FA has changed its mind. This now offers further possibilities for Regional NLS Feeder leagues to try to complete their season.

Whether that means getting in as many matches as possible until that date or simply start again, but with an alternative format has yet to be decided, the FA’s change late last night will have an effect on the League Management Committee decisions.

I appreciate that the matter of spectators is an important one, and this has yet to be addressed by the FA. The FA however, regards “grassroots” football differently to the NLS pyramid and where this was an advantage to the CMFL clubs in previous lockdowns, the same could be true as well this time. The other good news of course is that the Prime Minister has already made clear that as restrictions are lifted, that this will be a nationwide exercise – in other words, there are no plans to return to the dreaded tier system that caused so much trouble for this League in the later part of 2020.

As for clubs in Division One, they will not be affected by the 31st May date. In theory and unless otherwise notified, they have been given the opportunity to play matches until the end of June. In theory, completing these smaller divisions is a very realistic option.

How all this affects promotion and relegation is subject to the National FA, who are reviewing the seasons 2000 restructuring of the National League System, and therefore I cannot answer that question fully today. It should be taken as fact, that the CMFL will do everything possible to organise matches to give competitive football to its member clubs for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.

Taking all of the above into account, I would ask that you reply to this mailing in the next 7 days with any issues or problems that may prevent you from fulfilling fixtures up to the end of June. Please reply by 12 Noon on Thursday March 4th.

Paul Vallis
Chairman & Secretary,
Central Midlands Football League

Whatever format we have, the FA and Leagues need to provide updated Covid-19 Guidance to advice clubs what is required and use the time wisely to allow us to prepare our own policies to apply so when can return safely and protect all.