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Jersey Bulls has joined with scores of clubs across the British Isles in signing a strongly worded letter slamming the FA's decision to render this year’s season null and void.
Taken due to the current health crisis, the decision caused the record-breaking team to lose out on their chance at promotion.
The letter slams the “needless and inexplicable haste” in which the decision was taken to annul the season for various steps of the men’s and women’s non-league.
The FA – the sport’s governing body – decided to expunge results for non-league divisions below the National League and National League North and South for 2019-20, causing the record-breaking Jersey club to vow that they would take the matter further.
Central to the joint letter’s concerns is the “total lack of substantive dialogue or consultation with affected clubs” and that the decision “also disregards the millions of pounds invested and countless house expended collectively by clubs."
Pictured: The letter has been signed by 60 non-league clubs.
Signed by 60 clubs from Truro to Sunderland, the letter states: “Most clubs in steps three to six have now completed 70-80% of their league fixtures, and it is incomprehensible that these results should be delegitimised and expunged on the basis that the final quarter of the season cannot be fulfilled in the future. Simply put, there is no valid basis to expunge and entire season, especially at this stage.”
After an unbeaten season, this means that the Bulls won’t be able to progress to the Combined Counties Premier Division as planned. They are one of two clubs – including Vauxhall Motors FC, who have already secured promotion based on their performance this season.
The letter addresses this point specifically: “Clubs including Jersey Bulls FC and Vauxhall Motors FC have also already mathematically secured promotion this season – what are the grounds for them not to get promoted this season? Especially when they have clearly outgrown their respective competition? Other clubs also stand on the verge of promotion. It is patently unjust to have a season’s tireless work annulled in such a manner.”
But more than being about the chance of promotion, the clubs say that this is about “their belief in upholding the integrity of the footballing leagues.”
It continues: “Our demand for the FA to reconsider its decision is also about sending a message to the fans of our clubs, who have spent hard-earned money to follow their teams up and down the country, letting them know their support was not in vain. We know it is well within the powers of the FA to ensure that this is the case.”
???? A joint letter signed by more than 60 clubs across the country has today been sent to the @FA questioning the decision to void the season at steps three to six of non-league, and at various levels of the women's game.
— South Shields FC (@SouthShieldsFC) March 30, 2020
Please read the letter here. pic.twitter.com/7pfoIw0N0x
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