[ Sat 5th Jan ] v Oadby Town KO:3pm UCL1 AWAY

[Bob's Bitch]

We'd won four straight in the league before today and I'd say that we'll probably win the next four as well; R&H, Chenecks, Raunds and Potton - all middling to bottom half teams. However, I now have no confidence that we'll beat Sileby (who won 8-0 at Raunds today). I don't think we'll have any trouble beating the other 15 teams we've got to face (unless we mess up a la Burton PW) but there are clearly two teams at the top of the league who seem untouchable.

TBF I don't think there would have been any knee-jerk reactions to Eynesbury or today if we'd lost by 1 or 2. But both times we've lost we've completely given up and I hate to see that.

[FOOTYMAN]

The league is just approaching the halfway stage and we seem to be on a 'we should breeze it' thought process.No team will walk away with the league and it won't be won without earning it over the whole season and I believe it is the top 3 teams that get promoted. What a nice challenge to see if we can close the gap on the top 2 teams from now until the last game and to either prove we are good enough to go up by finishing in that top 3, or, if we don't go up, set a standard to be bettered next season.
COME ON YOU DIAMONDS.

[Diamond Warrior]

Just a few further points regarding today's match.

There was a high and late tackle in the first half - possibly on Gilly? - it was over the far side, anyway. This was a leg-breaker and could have very easily been a straight red card from my view. Would be interested to see this again if it was caught on camera. Not even a free-kick was given.

Also, the score at half-time could have been a lot different if either of Jake's attempted lobs would have gone in. In hindsight, if he maybe took the first around the keeper he could have scored, or as the keeper jumped, if the keeper made any connection it would have been a sending off - another game-changer.

[Olly]

The league is just approaching the halfway stage and we seem to be on a 'we should breeze it' thought process.No team will walk away with the league and it won't be won without earning it over the whole season and I believe it is the top 3 teams that get promoted. What a nice challenge to see if we can close the gap on the top 2 teams from now until the last game and to either prove we are good enough to go up by finishing in that top 3, or, if we don't go up, set a standard to be bettered next season.
COME ON YOU DIAMONDS.

Think its only 2 isn't it, that's why people are wondering whether we're good enough to go up this season with the top 2 spots filled with teams seemingly better than us, obviously there can be variations if teams decide not to go up or a team resigns from the prem like Spencer did, but as far as we're concerned right now its only 2.

[FOOTYMAN]

You may be right and it is only 2 teams promoted. I did hear that the step above (level 5) was being restructured to regional divisions and some of the Prem teams were not keen on longer travelling distances, increasing the costs that they can't cover because they don't get high enough attendances.
An even bigger challenge.
Or, we have another go next year.
I'll be there.

[Sid]

The league is just approaching the halfway stage and we seem to be on a 'we should breeze it' thought process.No team will walk away with the league and it won't be won without earning it over the whole season and I believe it is the top 3 teams that get promoted. What a nice challenge to see if we can close the gap on the top 2 teams from now until the last game and to either prove we are good enough to go up by finishing in that top 3, or, if we don't go up, set a standard to be bettered next season.
COME ON YOU DIAMONDS.

The myth that the top 3 get promoted keeps getting repeated on here, that's never happened in the past and there is nothing in the UCL handbook that sayes there has been a change. Third can be promoted if either of the top two don't meet the grading requirements. It's true that the league offered Bugbrooke promotion from third last season when they thought the Prem would be short of clubs, but that looks very unlikely this time, Woodford United have lost every game in the Southern League so far and if Barrow Town finish in the top two in the EMCL (very likely) they will probably be placed in the UCL as they're so near Quorn and Shepshed. I'm affraid it's realistically got to be 1st or 2nd for promotion.

[Sid]

You may be right and it is only 2 teams promoted. I did hear that the step above (level 5) was being restructured to regional divisions and some of the Prem teams were not keen on longer travelling distances, increasing the costs that they can't cover because they don't get high enough attendances.
An even bigger challenge.
Or, we have another go next year.
I'll be there.

The F.A. cancelled the restructuring last summer as there was almost no support for it, the 14 step 5 leagues will continue indefinately as long as they have 20-22 clubs in membership.

[elvisgirl]

I am led to believe that the geographical structure of the UCL is changing. Barrow Town could be entering the UCL next season as Leicestershire teams appear keen to enter our league. Both Lutterworth Athletic and Lutterworth Town applied two seasons ago to join the UCL, at the time they were not successful.

Teams from Beds and Bucks appear to be leaving, recently Stotfold left the UCL and many years earlier Ampthill Town, Biggleswade Town, Bedford Utd and Wolverton Town left the league. How much longer before we say goodbye to Newport Pagnell, AFC Kempston Rovers, Wootton BC and Potton Utd to mention a few. I hope very much we do not lose these clubs. To me Beds is local ,Leics is a distant to travel. We had Stevenage Borough in the league at one stage and Baldock Town.

[davealbon]

The top 2 will be promoted automatically, assuming their respective grounds achieve the required grade and they don't ask to remain in Division 1. If either of those things happen, the third placed team will be offered promotion, but the chances of that are pretty much nil.

However, I believe all Step 5 leagues must have 22 teams next season in line with the FA's new regulations that were brought in as a result of the proposed Step 5/6 restructuring plans being shelved. The UCL Prem only has 21 teams at present so they will need to add a team from somewhere. At the moment, there has been no word from the UCL regarding how this will be done (i.e. promote 3, or only relegate 1) and I doubt a decision will be made until the end of the season. The only other way the top 3 might be promoted from Division 1 is if there are Premier teams who volunteer to be demoted (a la Spencer last season), although again, I think this is unlikely.

[Sid]

This from the F.A. suggests it's a minimum of 20, maximum 22:

http://www.thefa.com/Leagues/NewsAndFea ... iew-100512

So the UCL could in theory go for 1 less than at present in the Premier Division.