06 December 2020 at 19:41
Following the statement issued by the Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Football Leagues yesterday, further clarification can now be given in relation to the voting following the Zoom meetings held by all 3 Trident Leagues with their Member Clubs to discuss the impact of the raising of the lockdown on 2nd December.
There were 224 Clubs voting across the 3 Leagues and of these 172 agreed with the proposition to continue the pause in fixtures, 51 disagreed and there was 1 abstention. Broken down by League, 57 Clubs in the Northern Premier League voted to agree with 4 disagreeing, 68 Clubs in the Southern League agreed with 14 disagreeing and in the Isthmian League it was much closer with 47 Clubs agreeing, 33 disagreeing and 1 abstention.
The “Agree” vote was therefore 76% and it has been agreed that the three Leagues will not sanction fixtures at this time.
It is intended that the situation is kept under review in line with Government review on the Tier allocations and restrictions. Accordingly, the next review is set for 16 December and then 30 December. It is the hope of all the Leagues that a date in January can be set for a return to fixtures with Clubs who wish being allowed to play before that date, but this will not be until there is a change in the Tiers and/or some progress in the funding of the Clubs at this level.
The Government has allocated £25m to Sport England to fund Steps 1 to 6 of the National Leagues System, of which £14m is set for Steps 3-6 but is heavily weighted in favour of loans, not grants. The FA is working tirelessly with DCMS and Sport England to have the funding presented as Grants. However, these negotiations take time, and it is not expected to have an answer or clarification of details of even the loans until mid-January.
The deep concern of all involved in the NLS is that circumstances may mean that it is not possible to conclude the current format of competition in a manner in which promotion and relegation can be achieved throughout the whole pyramid with Step 2 being brought up to 48 Clubs and Step 4 brought up to 240 Clubs.
If, therefore, no progress is made by the Government on the Tiers in either of the two December reviews, it is the intention of the Alliance Committee to circulate those concerned with a survey to gather the views of the Clubs as how best to finish the season. Options will include an alternative format competition and extending the season possibly into June 2021. However, the implications of all such proposals will involve the cost of players' contracts and the ability of some clubs to continue playing because of other issues of grounds and the need to prepare grass pitches for the following season.
The Leagues are mindful of the needs of all Clubs and are striving to find a solution that is fair to all
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05 November 2020 at 01:13
Pitching In Southern League 2020/21
Division 1 South
Paulton Rovers 1 – 6 Cirencester Town
Cirencester made the most of their final fixture before the ‘National Lockdown’, due to the Covid-19 pandemic by scoring six at Paulton in yet another ‘action packed’ match between the sides.
The match was ... [ read more ]
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04 November 2020 at 07:46
The Football Association [The FA] has provided an update for 'non-elite' football in England following the UK Government's announcement on new national Covid-19 restrictions that will be in place from Thursday 5 November 2020 until Wednesday 2 December 2020.
As a result of the UK Government's new national Covid-19 restrictions, and subject to Members of Parliament voting tomorrow [Wednesday 4 ... [ read more ]
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31 October 2020 at 23:53
Pitching In Southern League 2020/21
Division 1 South
Mangotsfield United 0 – 3 Cirencester Town
The Centurions made the short trip to Bristol to face a young Mangotsfield United side that has yet to secure any points this season and in difficult conditions were made to scrap for their victory.
The hosts began very positively as they ... [ read more ]
Posted in Club Events | Cirencester Arena | Miscellaneous | No Comments
28 October 2020 at 00:51
Pitching In Southern League 2020/21
Division 1 South
Cirencester Town 3 – 0 Willand Rovers
After a fast and furious encounter The Centurions were victorious against their highly placed visitors from Devon and as a result move to the top of the table.
The home side opened the scoring after 7 minutes when LEVI IRVING won ... [ read more ]
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24 October 2020 at 22:44
Pitching In Southern League 2020/21
Division 1 South
Frome Town 1 – 2 Cirencester Town
The Centurions returned to league action with a trip to Frome and after a hard-fought battle managed to return with the 3 points.
Playing into the wind and rain it was difficult to make progress at times but the visitors struck first when Jordan Morris ... [ read more ]
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19 October 2020 at 15:35
Cirencester FC players and management group been supported by locally founded sports performance company Proview Sports .
Due to Covid-19 restrictions on rugby a pivot to support Gloucestershire based football clubs in pre season has seen a collaboration come about with Cirencester FC. Performance analysis and video provisions have been introduced into the football ... [ read more ]
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17 October 2020 at 22:59
The Buildbase FA Trophy 2020/21
Second Round Qualifying
Thame United 4 – 1 Cirencester Town
Cirencester travelled to Thame United for this FA Trophy fixture, conceded a goal within 3 minutes, levelled, fell behind again, conceded two more minutes before the interval and their ‘Trophy’ journey was over for this season.
The home ... [ read more ]
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10 October 2020 at 22:32
Pitching In Southern League 2020/21
Division 1 South
Cirencester Town 0 – 2 Sholing
The Boatmen of Sholing visited The Corinium Stadium and scored a couple of goals in the final quarter to end The Centurions unbeaten start to their league season.
Almost from the kick-off Dan Mason tested home custodian Dan Lawrence and Josh Parsons made a ... [ read more ]
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