https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/sport/linnets-expecting-some-news-on-national-league-north-season-9112403/

https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/sport/linnets-frontman-would-love-to-end-his-playing-days-at-the-walks-after-agreeing-fresh-deal-9111071/

Locked down, so more time to read items from sources I wouldn't usually follow.

I think its fair to say that many are expecting a very different world when the current crisis is finally over (whenever that may be), and not just with regards to football. All sorts of things will have to change and the billions of pounds that is being returned to the taxpayer will obviously have to be recouped over a period of many years to come. How we go about our everday life is going to change and effect us all one way or another, and not just finacially.

I've just read an article by Maidstone Chairman. He seems to have managed to get his head around this to a certain degree.

He is of the opinion that non league football needs to press the reset button. i.e. going part time, as their wil be fewer people buying season tickets, fewer advertisers, fewer sponsors etc. Basically a lot less money available for people to spend on football (and of course other pastimes and even things in general).

He continues by saying that some Clubs have made it difficult for themselves by existing on an owner subsidy for years and now the owners are having  trouble funding Clubs because their own business's are experiencing financial problems themselves.

He goes on to say that there are too many clubs in the country, TV money is expected to be less, so even less will filter down the leagues. The league structure will have to be different in terms of Clubs travelling from one end of the country to another (every cloud.........).  He expects to see Clubs go the wall and when one does, it could have a domino effect.

Doom and gloom? Maybe but imo if this is coming from a Chairman of a Club, this kind of warning as to what we can expect has to be listened to.

If you tie that in with what our Govt , its Officials, scientists and health specialist are saying regarding life in general, then going forward, then things could get even worse as far as football is concerned.

It sounds to me that the lockdown will be extended, with some thinking as far as June. Social distancing could go on even longer, maybe as long as 18 months.

If that happens its goodbye to next season, but by then I suupose we will all have far greater concerns than football and even the individual football clubs we support.

Who knows whats to come. We are entering uncharted territory. If people think that this will not get far worse before it gets better, ask yourself if you ever thought we would be in our current position only a matter of 6 weeks ago?

#stay safe.

 

Premier League ban extended to end of April due to coronavirus crisis

Football will not resume in England until at least 30 April after the enforced suspension due to the coronavirus outbreak was extended by four weeks, with the current 2019/20 season increased indefinitely as a result in order to complete the current campaign.

A joint-statement from the Football Association (FA), Premier League, English Football League (EFL) and Women’s Professional Game confirmed that the initial two-week ban on professional football until 4 April had been extended to include the entirety of next month, with sport unlikely to resume for the foreseeable future as the nation battle the Covid-19 outbreak.

With at least six weeks being scratched off the football calendar, a decision was taken on Thursday following a conference call to lift the previously agreed season deadline of 1 June, even though Uefa would like to see domestic and European football concluded by that date.

The move comes from all 20 Premier League clubs meeting via teleconference and also comes with the full backing of the Professional Footballers’ Association and League Managers’ Association, meaning that that the top four flights of professional football will conclude by being played out during the summer if allowed.

The statement read: “The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that ‘the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June’ and ‘each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season’.

However, The FA’s board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019/20 season in relation to professional football.

Additionally, we have collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than 30 April.”

Both the Premier League and the EFL went against government advice to postpone matches last week when both Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi confirmed they had contracted coronavirus, which forced football’s leading authorities into action. Prime Minister Boris Johnson subsequently tightened measures in mass gatherings - which includes the majority of sporting events - although the National League and below were allowed to play fixtures last weekend. The FA has since announced a ban on all football events.

With Uefa announcing this week that the start of Euro 2020 will be moved to June 2021, domestic leagues have the time to complete their current campaigns, although the disruption looks certain to carry over into next season.

It will also allow the completion of the Champions League and Europa League, with the plans receiving the full support from the English game.

“The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, understand we are in unprecedented times and our thoughts are with everyone affected by Covid-19,” the statement added.

“We are united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019/20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.

“We have collectively supported Uefa in postponing Euro 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition.

“The progress of Covid-19 remains unclear and we can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority. We will continue to follow Government advice and work collaboratively to keep the situation under review and explore all options available to find ways of resuming the season when the conditions allow.

“We would all like to re-emphasise that our thoughts are with everyone affected by Covid-19.”

.......3 options as far as I can see:

1) The positions stand as they are today.

2) Decided on points v games played.

3) All leagues for 2019/20 are null and void.


Obviously option 2 would Favour the Linnets.

Imo, as I think its the most fair option overall, I'll go for option 3.

From the Club's website:


End of season dinner & Away travel update


The club are pleased to announce that the End of Season black tie dinner will take place on Saturday, May 23rd in the magnificent surroundings of the ballroom at The Duke's Head Hotel, King's Lynn.

 

The evening will consist of drinks on arrival and a three course dinner along with a half bottle of wine at the table. There will also be a raffle along with an auction - details of auction items will be announced in due course.

 

Tickets, priced at £130 are available to purchase online now at www.kltown.co.uk by following the match tickets link

Whilst there you will also see links for upcoming coach travel being provided by the club for the rest of the season.

 

For further information on the end of season dinner please contact Mark Hearle at mark@kltown.co.uk 

 

The Chairman retweeted this recently:

chris akers

King’s Lynn Town FC sponsored by leading social commerce platform WeShop beat York City 1-0 with impressive performance in front of over 4,000 fans to extend lead to 4 points with 2 games in hand in The Vanarama National League
@officialKLtown


Chris Akers......................I believe is the Ex Leeds money man. Also (is/was)involved with CSI when involved with Portsmouth in 2011.

A DotCom millionaire.

I find it interesting that he seems to be keeping an eye on us.