North West teams in the Women’s National League and lower tiers have had their seasons curtailed by the FA for the second consecutive campaign.
For local teams competing in the Northern Premier Division (also known as FA Women’s National League North) and below, it means there will be no football for the remainder of the season.
Now the focus is on the new season which will start in September.
However, issues remain if the season has been voided for a team who are still in the FA Cup this season, they may be at a disadvantage.
In the men’s game, local team Marine FC had their league suspended, yet they still took part in their FA Cup clash against Tottenham in January.
They played behind-closed-doors friendlies against Salford U23s and others to make sure that they were fully fit to take on Premier League opposition.
However, the women;s division was curtailed on March 1 after a meeting with the other clubs.
The current local teams that this affects all play in Division One North. After six games Liverpool Feds were sixth and Stockport County were just behind by goal difference in seventh.
The @FA have released the following statement. Our FAWNL season has been curtailed with immediate effect 😔 https://t.co/senFGAP5Mz
— Liverpool Feds (@LiverpoolFeds) March 15, 2021
Peter Attfield, Stockport County’s welfare officer, said: “The club respects the FA and FAWNL decision, made in difficult circumstances. We now look forward to the 2021/22 season.”
A mixed reaction
However, many other clubs are disgruntled at the decision.
Speaking to nufc.co.uk, Newcastle United Women manager Becky Langley said: “I’m totally devastated about the decision for another season null and void.”
Newcastle are still in the FA Cup and are due to play Brighouse Town Women in the second round proper on April 4.
Langley has announced that her players will still train throughout the next month.
The club from the North East may consider going down the similar road that local side Marine faced when taking part in the FA Cup earlier this season, playing friendlies to maintain match fitness.
Portsmouth Women manager Jay Sadler, whose team plays in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division, spoke to The News about the decision: “It’s a hard one to take but it is what it is I suppose, we can’t change it.”
Sadler later added: “I feel like nothing is done about it from a promotion or relegation view, it’s just going to jeopardise women’s football and the integrity of the whole game.
“I feel like it hinders the growth of the game in the bigger picture.”
Though many of the clubs have opinions about this latest news, this is the chance for the clubs to rethink and evaluate or even perhaps have an extended pre-season that could perhaps help in the long run before the start of the new season.
