Havant and Waterlooville Hawks dampen plans for a new competition
07.03.2021
In the aftermath of the National Leagues North and South voting to ‘null and void’ the 20/21 season, the dust is still settling. In the meantime, some of the leagues’ clubs are proposing ways to kick on outside the competition, in new ways.
These include devising new cups, or localised tournaments, to stay sharp and generate revenue. As regional league leaders Dorking and Gloucester pursue legal action against the league, some non-league steps suggest mergers to fill the footballing void.
Regardless of each club’s financial or sporting position, 2021 heralded a disappointing end to the season. This rings true for the National League South side Havant & Waterlooville, who sat in 9th place with five games in hand before the league null and voided. On the other hand, games in hand don’t always translate to positive results. The club suffered league defeats in all four of their last four games. These defeats compounded with an agonising departure from the FA Vase on penalties against Notts County, with both teams on ten men.
Following this victory void and the league’s null and void decision, the Havant & Waterlooville board recused themselves from any interim competition. “We would not like to put ourselves forward,” the club clarified in a post on their website, suggesting the view that these new competition ideas are just that: ideas.
The post cites the obstacles between clubs and these ideas, in the form of the FA and other ratifying bodies. On top of these worries Havant & Waterlooville, mention the fact that their furloughed and out-of-training players make it hard to “field a competitive side.”
It can’t hurt for non-league teams to think laterally and put suggestions forward to mitigate these trying times. However, if clubs themselves move forward into break-away tournaments during the pandemic, it could create untold financial and medical risks. Across footballing regions and steps, smaller organisations must find ways to hold on for next season.
