League chief ends season

League chief ends season

3 March 2021

AMATEUR League chiefs have announced the official cancellation of the 2020/21 season.

The decision comes as no major surprise as soccer bosses at grassroots level have battled for months to try and come up with a plan for some form of campaign in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last season was curtailed, whilst efforts to get this campaign up and running have continually come up against further government restrictions on gatherings.

League chairman Terry Pateman announced the decision last Thursday night.

“I appreciate that this has been a difficult year both on and off the field for everyone.  My thanks go to you all for your patience,” he said.

“The League Committee has sought to explore a number of different avenues to support the playing of league football and also to allow plenty of time for any decision as opposed to a hasty choice.

“However, the recent restrictions and the level of uncertainty have led us to conclude that, despite our best efforts, there is no longer a reliable path to 

allow the season 2020/2021 to complete in the timeframes available.  The Committee has therefore cancelled the season which includes all league and cup matches.”

Pateman also confirmed that the annual Britton Rosebowl fixture featuring an Amateur League select side against their Scottish counterparts would not take place.

Looking ahead, he said: “We feel that the time is right to place the focus on next season being played safely and reliably.

“We look forward to moving beyond the current problems and to enthusiastically plan to play and watch the game that we all love.  

“We will aim to start in early August, restrictions permitting, for the first division teams, and in September for second and third division teams.”

The announcement mirrors that taken by Newcastle League chiefs taken in January to blow the whistle on their season.