The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

Trek wrote:Maybe the side coming second would go straight into the play-off final at Wembley?

The team finishing second going straight into the final sounds good, until you apply to it that famous quote from Monopoly... "Do not pass go, do not collect £200..."

It would deprive the team finishing second of valuable revenue from two games (or at least one - I'm not sure how it's shared) which doesn't seem fair, and football clubs need money as well. It wouldn't be all that fair on the other finalist, either, having to play two games more in the play-offs would have to have some impact on their freshness and fitness in a play-off final at the end of a very long and busy season.

The team finishing sixth should take K*ttering's place if K*ttering finish 2nd-5th and aren't allowed to play in the play-off, but my bet is that some work-around will be employed which allows K*ttering to participate in the play-offs, and also to get promoted if they win... suspension of financial benefits of being in the Football League until a new ground is occupied, or relegation if a new ground isn't guaranteed within x years, something of that nature.

Red Dragon wrote:
The team finishing second going straight into the final sounds good, until you apply to it that famous quote from Monopoly... "Do not pass go, do not collect £200..."

I thought of that whilst writing my post.

However, at the end of a hard long season of 46 league games, plus cup fixtures it would allow the club who came second a bit of a breather, vital rest, longer preparation and despite a loss of finance put them in prime position to win the final.

Tough call, I reckon.

Doubt the Conference have any laid down rules on the matter.

There are a couple of precedents here though. In two successive seasons in the Conf South the second placed team went straight through to the final when Lewes weren't allowed into the playoffs due to their ground issues (although they then went on to achieve automatic promotion after their ground was passed fit).

The Conference board could argue that this was a different scenario though.

Formic wrote:
The Conference board could argue that this was a different scenario though.

Sounds like an identical scenario regarding 'ground issues'.

Personally, I don't think the club finishing 6th deserves to go into the play offs.

All academic really because there's no way the Ploppies are going to finish in 5th place or higher. :lol:

I think the Football League ground criteria has to be in place by the third week in March or something similar. That being the Ground must have an "A" Grading AND it must have a minimum 10 year lease or alternative arrangement to groundshare in the same borough already in place. It CANNOT put a groundshare in place to achieve promotion. I've not read of any "workarounds" in the rules so would be surprised if that were to be allowed.

So what would happen if they did happen to end up in the play-offs? I don't happen to think they will, and thats not from a rivals perspective just from an observer, but will the 6th placed team be awarded their place?

Stevenage win 1-0 at Wrexham tonight.

Would have preferred Wrexham to have won obviously but I doubt the result matters much to us at all.