Sussex football clubs set for FIVE cup competitions to salvage season

Southern Combination Football League bosses have enough to interest in their planned cup competitions to run FIVE – one for each of their divisions.
SCFL premier sides Pagham and Steyning are among sides invited by the league to play in an end of season cup competition / Picture: Roger SmithSCFL premier sides Pagham and Steyning are among sides invited by the league to play in an end of season cup competition / Picture: Roger Smith
SCFL premier sides Pagham and Steyning are among sides invited by the league to play in an end of season cup competition / Picture: Roger Smith

The SCFL has asked all its clubs if they want to take part in a Champions League-style tournament, with groups leading to knockout stages, to make up for the loss of the rest of their league season.

A majority of clubs have said they want to be involved – and most of those keen to play have even said they could play before fans were allowed back into grounds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In the premier division, 17 teams want to be entered in the cup and only three say they need fans back in before they can play.

For division one sides, 13 have indicated they are keen to play with only two saying they need grounds open to paying punters. As reported last week, 12 out of 14 division two clubs have told the SCFL they would like to play.

The league have also invited under-23 and under-18 teams to their end-of-season event.

Seventeen under-23 teams have given a thumbs-up, while in the under-18 division, there are already 15 clubs keen, with replies still awaited from some.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Next the league’s competitions committee will meet to decide how to organise the cups and set dates for matches.

As things stand it appears fans won’t be allowed back in grounds before mid-May but there are hopes their return could be earlier than that.

League chairman Steve Nealgrove said: “We respect the views of any club who don’t want to take part but we’re delighted with the number that are keen to play.”

Related topics: