Ups, downs and other news and gossip

[Steve T]

This could go in the other section but not many seem to go there (mind you, not many seem to come here either – other clubs have more active forums than us).

Anyway...Kettering are looking for a new owner. Richie Jeune, who deserves the freedom of the borough for rescuing the club from the Ladak days, has had enough and wants to hand it over to someone and put his feet up.

Gloucester went out of the play-offs last night at the Bogside, following up Saturday's late victory from behind with a 98th minute equaliser before losing on penalties. With reports of the club's big financial loss, supporters fear budget cuts and player departures.

Chester, who I am sure you will all be backing enthusiastically on Sunday, have already sold 4,000 tickets for the match. Over in Potato Land, King's Lynn have sold about 1,200 and Kidderminster 500 for their meeting.

Darlington supporters are still grumbling about almost everything...
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Here's an exchange from NLM in a thread about Peterborough Sports and their over-running ground works:

Gateshead fan: "How on earth does Alfreton's pass ground grading?"
Boston fan: "Says the guy supporting a club that plays at an international athletics venue..."
G: "Not the best ground but sure not as ramshackle as Alfreton's which has seen better days. Can't believe they had a few seasons in the national league with little to no ground upgrades."
B: "There's certainly a lot worse than Alfreton, though. Brackley, Gloucester, Darlington, P Sports, Banbury, Kettering and Leamington in this year's Conference North IMO..."

It's not as though Boston's wonder-of-the-world new stadium has propelled the team into orbit, as it was supposed to.

[Steve T]

Keep an eye on the situation at Southend United. The club has been served another winding-up petition by HMRC and is due in court on Wednesday 17th May. The league line-ups should be announced next week (Thu 11th or Fri 12th) but they are provisional until the league AGMs in June.

If Southend are thrown out of the National League before the AGM, it will mean reprieves for Torquay and Kettering. What happens below that is anyone's guess.

If they go after the AGM, the national division will run one club short.

[petet]

It really is very sad that a once great club like Southend find themselves in such a bad situation. I really hope they can overcome their problems and continue as a National League club.

[Steve T]

Gloucester return to part-time status: www.thenationalleague.org.uk/king-leaves-tigers-throne-as-gloucester-go-part-ti-76035

[Sparky]

Sounds like another club that has relied on handouts and now reality has bitten. Credit to them given the ground problems that they have had to overcome but if this has been a case of trying to buy success it has plainly failed.

[Steve T]

May 4, 2023 22:00:38 GMT 1 Steve T said:

The league line-ups should be announced next week (Thu 11th or Fri 12th) but they are provisional until the league AGMs in June.

Delayed until midday Monday (15th).

[bufcarmy]

May 12, 2023 17:16:51 GMT 1 Steve T said:

May 4, 2023 22:00:38 GMT 1 Steve T said:

The league line-ups should be announced next week (Thu 11th or Fri 12th) but they are provisional until the league AGMs in June.

Delayed until midday Monday (15th).

Will be interesting to see if Peterborough Sports are still in the league. Apparently Blyth and Leamington have both put in a complaint that they were given extra time.

[Steve T]

I cannot see any reason why Peterborough should be demoted for ground grading reasons. At this level, clubs have three seasons to get their 'B' grade but until they do, they cannot be promoted to the national division. Clubs attempting to complete works by the end of March this year would have been doing so to allow them to take part in this year's play-offs. Banbury took the decision to build the new stand at a time when qualification was still a possibility. It's a moot point as to whether Peterborough were ever serious contenders (they were 7th in December before slipping away) but they were entitled to consider it. There are comments on several other club forums showing that supporters think that promoted clubs have only a year to get their grading. They're wrong.

Of course, there is always the possibility that there was something else amiss at Peterborough that was kept quiet but that's conspiracy territory...

[Steve T]

As expected, Bishop's Stortford, Isthmian League champions, have been placed in the Northern section. Banbury did the double over them in 17-18, the only time the clubs have met.

All allocations here: Step 1 to 4 allocations 2023-24.pdf (674.27 KB)

[Steve T]

Here's a map showing allocations at all levels.

[Steve T]

Southend's hearing has been adjourned until July. Reports suggest that the controversial owner has persuaded the judge he has a buyer. If the court is not persuaded and the club is wound up, then it will be too late to change line-ups and the national division will run one short.

Of course, it's still possible that the league could expel Southend.

[ianb]

Bishops Stortford will appeal being placed in the National League North


www.bsfc.co.uk/club-news/club-statement-5/

[Steve T]

New man in at The Bogside

[landafar011]

Thats bad for BS, they would have numerous local matches in NLS.
Cant think a day trip to Spennymoor, South Shields or Blyth is going to be financially welcome.

Maybe a streamlined 3 league system, Up norf, in the middle and down South may be better..
6 down from the conference and 3 up from the conference..

Then theres hope for all

[Steve T]

May 18, 2023 19:46:06 GMT 1 landafar011 said:

Maybe a streamlined 3 league system, Up norf, in the middle and down South may be better..
6 down from the conference and 3 up from the conference..

Then theres hope for all

As it was up to 2003-04 (but with only 3 down and 1x3 up).