2020 League Structure

Here’s the lowdown on how we’ve changed the 2020 league and cup structure and why;

The 35’s league will become 8 smaller divisions with home and away fixtures to help reduce the risk of another incomplete season due to Covid 19.

Reasoning:

1: In the event of another lockdown, or of a delay to the start of the season, the league season could still be completed by playing fixtures as double headers, or just counting the first result between two teams. It would effectively mean that a full season could be completed by playing 6 games, minimizing the risk of failing to complete the season.

2: Home and away fixtures would mean having to deal with less people which should help with organization and reduce contacts over the course of the season.

3: This system has worked well in the over 45’s league, so it has been trialed. Managers have been generally positive about playing home and away.

4: Home and away fixtures makes the league competition fairer.

5: This change will be an experiment. Once Covid is under control, if teams find they preferred the old system then this can be reinstated via a vote at the next AGM.

The 35’s cup will be split in two for season 2020/21

If the 8 division model is agreed then there will be two cup competitions, one for divs 1-4 and another for divs 5-8.

Reasoning:

1: Reducing the number of cup games overall will help to reduce the risk of the league season remaining incomplete if there is a further lockdown.

2: This will be of particular benefit to the teams in divs 1-4 who already have two extra league games to complete.

3: For teams in divs 5-8 it will offer an increased opportunity for cup glory which they would otherwise be unlikely to achieve.

*We propose that all cup competitions will be immediately suspended if another lockdown occurs. Completion of the league season should take priority in this case.