As the Coronavirus pandemic continues, the Board of the Toolstation Western League is concerned that this situation might impact on the ability to complete the 2020/21 football season. In order to fully understand the situation from the perspective of member Clubs, the Board worked with Cognisant Research, a Market Research Society Company Partner, to undertake a short survey.
The survey considered two questions:
- In the event that the 2020/21 season cannot be completed, what would your preference for ending the season be?
- Full suspension of fixtures until the Government advises that it is safe for fans to re-enter grounds and the season can be completed.
- Completion of the season on a points per game basis, pending the successful completion of a predefined proportion of fixtures.
- Season declared null and void.
- In the event the Western League season could be completed on a points per game basis, what minimum percentage of matches would you consider reasonable to finalise the League table and allow for Promotion and Relegation?
Over two thirds (65%) of all Western League Clubs responding to this survey expressed a preference for bringing this season to a competitive conclusion. In the event that the 2020/21 season cannot be completed, 35% of Clubs wanted to suspend fixtures until it was safe for fans to re-enter grounds, whilst a further 30% wanted to end the season on a points per game basis, pending the successful completion of a predefined proportion of fixtures. Just over a third of Clubs indicated they would prefer the season to be declared null and void if it could not be completed.
In terms of what that proportion of fixtures might be acceptable for a point per game finish, an average of the responses from Clubs in both divisions indicated a minimum completion of 75%. Suggesting the point per game outcome is only viable if a minimum of three quarters of this season is completed.
The full COVID19 League Suspension Survey can be viewed here.