Step 5 and 6 leagues scrap competition plans due to no fans

By Robin Jones

THE South West Peninsula League has ditched plans to hold end-of-season supplementary cup competitions because Government guidelines will not allow paying spectators to be admitted.

Directors had agreed to consider holding two cups, one of them league based and the other a knock-out competition.

At a Zoom meeting held on Wednesday, board members voted unanimously 12-0 not to run the proposed contests, despite 32 out of 40 members clubs of the Step 6 league had indicated that they wanted to take part.

FA guidance suggested that the earliest return date for fans would be May 17, and all cup games should end by May 31. Also, hospitality from April 12 restricted to table-only service in Covid-restricted bubbles means secondary spend from licensed premises would be restricted and not practical whilst games are in progress.

A league statement said: “The board were unanimous that without the return of fans, at least in the previous Covid-secure way used earlier in the season, that clubs would not be able to afford to play these matches as no admission and no secondary spend would be possible.

“We are also concerned that clubs run by volunteers cannot reasonably be expected to police the “no fans” rules.”

● The Southern Counties East League has postponed making a decision on proposed supplementary cup competitions until March 25.

At their meeting on Thursday, in view of the latest advice received from the FA regarding spectators not being admitted until at least May 17, the board of directors agreed to delay their final vote on whether the competition would be held.

● Clubs wishing to enter the proposed Hampshire Invitation Cup have been asked if they are still prepared to take part – even if they have to play behind closed doors.

All county-based Southern League outfits and all clubs in the Wessex have been invited to take part in the optional supplementary competition, which is planned to start in the week after Easter.

They have been set a deadline of Wednesday to reply.