End of Isthmian League season was inevitable - Lewes chairman

Lewes chairman Stuart Fuller says the end of the men’s non-league football season was inevitable.
By Steve Bone
Published 26th Feb 2021, 09:00 BST
Updated 26th Feb 2021, 18:50 BST
The Dripping Pan won't see any more Isthmian League action this season / Picture: James BoyesThe Dripping Pan won't see any more Isthmian League action this season / Picture: James Boyes
The Dripping Pan won't see any more Isthmian League action this season / Picture: James Boyes

The season for steps three to six of the non-league game – that’s Isthmian premier down to Southern Combination division one – has been ‘curtailed’.

That means no more league games will be played, although it does give the FA the option of using results from the unfinished season in the future. They may need to do that as they talk about a restructure of steps four (Isthmian south east) to six (SCFL division one).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

That could see some clubs who are currently in the SCFL being promoted ahead of the 2021-22 but it almost certainly means no Isthmian teams going up.

Fuller said it had been obvious for a few weeks there would not be enough time to get the non-league season finished.

He said given the clubs at that level needed fans back in grounds to make playing viable, there was simply not enough time to restart the season and play enough games.

A survey of step three to six clubs in January showed around three-qaurters felt the season should be terminated if they were not playing in front of fans again by April 1.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This week’s government announcements said that although football could restart on March 29, the return of fans would not happen before mid-May.

Fuller said: “It’s great that football can return and we are looking forward to playing in front of fans next season.

“We’ve already started talking to some of our younger players and we’re keen on ramping up our pathway over the next two years and are looking at another boys’ and girls’ academy. There are exciting times for us and there will be a big focus now on next season and being more competitive.”

Lewes Women have been playing through the lockdown as their FA Championship is deemed elite.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Fuller said the frustration he had with the women’s season was that unnecessary international breaks and the lack of any FA Cup ties had left fixtures few and far between.

He said: “They last played 12 days ago and may not play again until March 14.

“At least they too can look forward to a full season next season.”

Related topics:Stuart FullerSCFL