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Regional Premier Leagues 2020-21

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Topic: Regional Premier Leagues 2020-21
Posted By: Dagfish
Subject: Regional Premier Leagues 2020-21
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 19:23

As ever, it's easier to look at the Regional Premier Leagues together, rather than individually, to see how the level transfers might occur next season. The image below shows all the teams at level 5, listed under their home regions. 

It looks like the level transfers needed will be one from South West to LSE, and three from North to Midlands. My guess (with no inside knowledge whatsoever) is that the teams going from North to Midlands will be the same as last year (Sheffield, Doncaster Phoenix and Sandbach) and that Maidenhead will move from South West to LSE.




Replies:
Posted By: fatbear
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 19:27
Do you mean Maidenhead to move to LSE not Midlands ?


Posted By: Dagfish
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 19:39
Originally posted by fatbear fatbear wrote:

Do you mean Maidenhead to move to LSE not Midlands ?
Oops - yes I did. Now corrected.


Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 19:47
Originally posted by Dagfish Dagfish wrote:


As ever, it's easier to look at the Regional Premier Leagues together, rather than individually, to see how the level transfers might occur next season. The image below shows all the teams at level 5, listed under their home regions. 

It looks like the level transfers needed will be one from South West to LSE, and three from North to Midlands. My guess (with no inside knowledge whatsoever) is that the teams going from North to Midlands will be the same as last year (Sheffield, Doncaster Phoenix and Sandbach) and that Maidenhead will move from South West to LSE.





Except, those 3 are surely exempt this coming season, unless they volunteer to go?

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RAID ON


Posted By: Dobber
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 20:52
There's a very very long way to go until we're any way near the start of Season 2020/21.  Club Treasurers and Chairmen will be fretting over the financials. I regret to say that there are going to be a few more Birmingham  & Solihull Bees and Leicester South's between then and now, regardless of any arguments over level transfers...


Posted By: Friendly prop
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 21:18
Originally posted by Dobber Dobber wrote:

There's a very very long way to go until we're any way near the start of Season 2020/21.  Club Treasurers and Chairmen will be fretting over the financials. I regret to say that there are going to be a few more Birmingham  & Solihull Bees and Leicester South's between then and now, regardless of any arguments over level transfers...

 
Not least Bournville who are going for a Go fund me 30k


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"Animo concipere non possum quo palto hoc pervease exeat."


Posted By: Friendly prop
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 21:22
Originally posted by Dagfish Dagfish wrote:


As ever, it's easier to look at the Regional Premier Leagues together, rather than individually, to see how the level transfers might occur next season. The image below shows all the teams at level 5, listed under their home regions. 

It looks like the level transfers needed will be one from South West to LSE, and three from North to Midlands. My guess (with no inside knowledge whatsoever) is that the teams going from North to Midlands will be the same as last year (Sheffield, Doncaster Phoenix and Sandbach) and that Maidenhead will move from South West to LSE.

Well done as ever Dagfish How are things down at Portway?


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"Animo concipere non possum quo palto hoc pervease exeat."


Posted By: Fudgepacker
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 22:00
Originally posted by Friendly prop Friendly prop wrote:

Originally posted by Dobber Dobber wrote:

There's a very very long way to go until we're any way near the start of Season 2020/21.  Club Treasurers and Chairmen will be fretting over the financials. I regret to say that there are going to be a few more Birmingham  & Solihull Bees and Leicester South's between then and now, regardless of any arguments over level transfers...

 
Not least Bournville who are going for a Go fund me 30k

Friendly prop I'm confident we will survive. Bromsgrove are trying to raise £50k on theirs! Wink



Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 03 Apr 2020 at 22:16
Macclesfield also £30k
Where does this all end - surely every sports club in the land could go down the same route trying to recoup funds


Posted By: Whaa Hoo Wilkey
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2020 at 00:10
Originally posted by Thatbloke Thatbloke wrote:

Macclesfield also £30k
Where does this all end - surely every sports club in the land could go down the same route trying to recoup funds
This is our Club acting responsibly - now.


Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2020 at 07:47
Originally posted by Dagfish Dagfish wrote:


As ever, it's easier to look at the Regional Premier Leagues together, rather than individually, to see how the level transfers might occur next season. The image below shows all the teams at level 5, listed under their home regions. 

It looks like the level transfers needed will be one from South West to LSE, and three from North to Midlands. My guess (with no inside knowledge whatsoever) is that the teams going from North to Midlands will be the same as last year (Sheffield, Doncaster Phoenix and Sandbach) and that Maidenhead will move from South West to LSE.


I'm sure Maidenhead would be delighted to volunteer to go to LSE to save most of the travelling. I never understood personally why a club in Berkshire are in the SW region forcing them to travel to Devon/Cornwall  every other week whilst a club the other side of the M25 is in the LSE region. 

Plus given Hampshire is in LSE despite being roughly geographically level with Berkshire is a bit of an anomaly to me. I know it was originally something to do with the train lines back in the day.


Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2020 at 09:31
In response to Wha Hoo Wilkey I have to strongly disagree. If Macclesfield, or any other village, town or city want to maintain a semi-pro rugby club why should Joe Public (through Crowd Funding - effectively a world wide begging bowl) be asked to contribute. In such difficult times there are surely more worthy causes than this?
Funds to support the club, any club, should be raised from its immediate locality through memberships, sponsors, sugar-daddies etc etc. As has already been intimated on many other posts, if there's a shortfall then players should be offered reduced contracts or off-loaded altogether.
Please note this is not about paying players - I have no problem with that so long as it is funded sustainably by its membership and local benefactors


Posted By: MaidsBoy
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2020 at 09:34
Originally posted by Robb Robb wrote:

Originally posted by Dagfish Dagfish wrote:


As ever, it's easier to look at the Regional Premier Leagues together, rather than individually, to see how the level transfers might occur next season. The image below shows all the teams at level 5, listed under their home regions. 

It looks like the level transfers needed will be one from South West to LSE, and three from North to Midlands. My guess (with no inside knowledge whatsoever) is that the teams going from North to Midlands will be the same as last year (Sheffield, Doncaster Phoenix and Sandbach) and that Maidenhead will move from South West to LSE.


I'm sure Maidenhead would be delighted to volunteer to go to LSE to save most of the travelling. I never understood personally why a club in Berkshire are in the SW region forcing them to travel to Devon/Cornwall  every other week whilst a club the other side of the M25 is in the LSE region. 

Plus given Hampshire is in LSE despite being roughly geographically level with Berkshire is a bit of an anomaly to me. I know it was originally something to do with the train lines back in the day.

We absolutely would be delighted to move across!


Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2020 at 12:42
Originally posted by Thatbloke Thatbloke wrote:

In response to Wha Hoo Wilkey I have to strongly disagree. If Macclesfield, or any other village, town or city want to maintain a semi-pro rugby club why should Joe Public (through Crowd Funding - effectively a world wide begging bowl) be asked to contribute. In such difficult times there are surely more worthy causes than this?
Funds to support the club, any club, should be raised from its immediate locality through memberships, sponsors, sugar-daddies etc etc. As has already been intimated on many other posts, if there's a shortfall then players should be offered reduced contracts or off-loaded altogether.
Please note this is not about paying players - I have no problem with that so long as it is funded sustainably by its membership and local benefactors


Personally, I see no problem in clubs trying to raise money in any legal way.

It is up to the individual to contribute or not as they see fit

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RAID ON


Posted By: Whaa Hoo Wilkey
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2020 at 13:27
Originally posted by Thatbloke Thatbloke wrote:

In response to Wha Hoo Wilkey I have to strongly disagree. If Macclesfield, or any other village, town or city want to maintain a semi-pro rugby club why should Joe Public (through Crowd Funding - effectively a world wide begging bowl) be asked to contribute. In such difficult times there are surely more worthy causes than this?
Funds to support the club, any club, should be raised from its immediate locality through memberships, sponsors, sugar-daddies etc etc. As has already been intimated on many other posts, if there's a shortfall then players should be offered reduced contracts or off-loaded altogether.
Please note this is not about paying players - I have no problem with that so long as it is funded sustainably by its membership and local benefactors

Don't know where your crowd funding idea has come from! Money raised has come from members and is for the guarantee of the Club keeping its head above water - nowt to do with paying players!


Posted By: Dagfish
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2020 at 13:31
Originally posted by Friendly prop Friendly prop wrote:

Well done as ever Dagfish How are things down at Portway?
Thanks for asking - Bees had a very successful season in the Greater Birmingham Merit League, and before all this hit the fan, the consensus was that they would be applying to re-join the national league system from next season. Let's hope this still applies. 
Personally, I've been a bit of a nomad this season, and have enjoyed the hospitality at a number of local clubs around the region. It's been a fun season!


Posted By: oldbill10
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2020 at 13:40
Wouldn’t paying players in the first place put a strain on the clubs finances, I have seen a few clubs create go fund me pages which is great if it keeps them all going but for me unless you’ve got a rich benefactor than asking people to help doesn’t sit right with me, if paying players has put you in that position in the first place. 


Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2020 at 15:49
My point exactly Old Bill!
Shouldn't this be a bit like keeping your local corner shop or post office going - locals to give it the support to continue - as was once said "use it or lose it" 


Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 04 Apr 2020 at 16:30
Originally posted by Thatbloke Thatbloke wrote:

My point exactly Old Bill!
Shouldn't this be a bit like keeping your local corner shop or post office going - locals to give it the support to continue - as was once said "use it or lose it" 

Except the local corner shop and post office are allowed to open during this time, a rugby club doesn't have that luxury. An easyfundraising route is probably the easiest way for locals to give directly as not every supporter will have the club's bank details to hand.


Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2020 at 15:00
At least with gofundme and the like the general public has the choice a to whether they donate or not and it's very easy to do the latter. As taxpayers we have no choice but to help fund Liverpool's non-playing staff whilst the club decide which player to spend another £50m on.

(Other disreputable clubs are available). 


Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2020 at 15:30
Originally posted by WEvans WEvans wrote:

At least with gofundme and the like the general public has the choice a to whether they donate or not and it's very easy to do the latter. As taxpayers we have no choice but to help fund Liverpool's non-playing staff whilst the club decide which player to spend another £50m on.

(Other disreputable clubs are available). 


A total disgrace - continue paying millionaires their tens/hundreds of thousands a week (delete as appropriate) when they are doing money and furlough staff paid a fraction of that to get money off the government.

I'm sure when these measures were announced they were not intended for this purpose.

I'm also sure no footballers at that level will be furloughed

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RAID ON


Posted By: Monkey Boy
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2020 at 00:15
Originally posted by Raider999 Raider999 wrote:

Originally posted by WEvans WEvans wrote:

At least with gofundme and the like the general public has the choice a to whether they donate or not and it's very easy to do the latter. As taxpayers we have no choice but to help fund Liverpool's non-playing staff whilst the club decide which player to spend another £50m on.

(Other disreputable clubs are available). 


A total disgrace - continue paying millionaires their tens/hundreds of thousands a week (delete as appropriate) when they are doing money and furlough staff paid a fraction of that to get money off the government.

I'm sure when these measures were announced they were not intended for this purpose.

I'm also sure no footballers at that level will be furloughed

Ridiculous isn’t it. But then again it’s no different than any other company with huge turnover, profit and fat cats at the top table furloughing staff.

And also why are footballers any different to any hedge fund manager or billionaire?  I don’t see our city bankers being asked to take pay cuts to bail out an under funded NHS


Posted By: Dobber
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2020 at 22:56
I suppose the argument is that City bankers are now having to earn their crust. Presumably they are working.  Footballers on the other hand are still being paid but haven't kicked a ball in anger for several weeks and aren't going to be doing so for several weeks more.... 


Posted By: fatbear
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2020 at 07:21
so defer their wages not cut them.......


Posted By: Neasham
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2020 at 08:09
Don’t forget that these footballers will be making a major contribution to the national purse through HMRC. Swings and roundabouts


Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2020 at 08:38
Originally posted by Neasham Neasham wrote:

Don’t forget that these footballers will be making a major contribution to the national purse through HMRC. Swings and roundabouts


I don't think the outrage is really to do with the fact that overpaid footballers are still being paid for doing nothing, it is the fact that some clubs have furloughed other staff to get government money whilst doing so.

Interestingly Liverpool, one of those clubs, has done a U turn (after severe criticism from their own fans) and announced they will not be using this process.

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RAID ON


Posted By: Neasham
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2020 at 17:45
Originally posted by Raider999 Raider999 wrote:

Originally posted by Neasham Neasham wrote:

Don’t forget that these footballers will be making a major contribution to the national purse through HMRC. Swings and roundabouts


I don't think the outrage is really to do with the fact that overpaid footballers are still being paid for doing nothing, it is the fact that some clubs have furloughed other staff to get government money whilst doing so.

Interestingly Liverpool, one of those clubs, has done a U turn (after severe criticism from their own fans) and announced they will not be using this process.

I  appreciate that and if there is anything good to come out of all this it will hopefully be that we all realise that the society we have built relies on an awful lot of hard working, not too well paid people to keep the rest of us safe and comfortable.


Posted By: Monkey Boy
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2020 at 21:49
Originally posted by Dobber Dobber wrote:

I suppose the argument is that City bankers are now having to earn their crust. Presumably they are working.  Footballers on the other hand are still being paid but haven't kicked a ball in anger for several weeks and aren't going to be doing so for several weeks more.... 

The markets should be suspended.

The very fact that they are earning exuberant wages means that the Tory party should be targeting them publicly just like they’ve targeted sports people.

And what about all the Tory party donators with billions in the bank?  Will they be contributing like all the sports donators?


Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2020 at 08:05
Apparently National 2 clubs who can make the move have been contacted. I'm hoping its the same for N3 so we get the fixtures sooner rather than later.


Posted By: Mark W-J
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2020 at 08:17
I can confirm that clubs at Level 6 have been contacted, too.  Been told 'expressions of interest' need to be submitted by the end of next week.


Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2020 at 22:56
Originally posted by Mark W-J Mark W-J wrote:

I can confirm that clubs at Level 6 have been contacted, too.  Been told 'expressions of interest' need to be submitted by the end of next week.

So hopefully get next seasons league fixtures out quicker.


Posted By: Shamrose
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2020 at 14:06
Originally posted by Monkey Boy Monkey Boy wrote:

Originally posted by Dobber Dobber wrote:

I suppose the argument is that City bankers are now having to earn their crust. Presumably they are working.  Footballers on the other hand are still being paid but haven't kicked a ball in anger for several weeks and aren't going to be doing so for several weeks more.... 

The markets should be suspended.

 
The very fact that they are earning exuberant wages means that the Tory party should be targeting them publicly just like they’ve targeted sports people.

And what about all the Tory party donators with billions in the bank?  Will they be contributing like all the sports donators?
 
I would say that City Bankers will already be paying their share through PAYE whereas most Premier League footballers will have complicated company structures to minimise theirs. The last thing the government wants is Bankers and high earners to stop working as you lose all the tax revenue, 40% above £38k and 45% above £150k plus the NI  on top
 
...................and by the way when did this  become a political thing?  


Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2020 at 14:57
Originally posted by Shamrose Shamrose wrote:

Originally posted by Monkey Boy Monkey Boy wrote:

Originally posted by Dobber Dobber wrote:

I suppose the argument is that City bankers are now having to earn their crust. Presumably they are working.  Footballers on the other hand are still being paid but haven't kicked a ball in anger for several weeks and aren't going to be doing so for several weeks more.... 

The markets should be suspended.

 
The very fact that they are earning exuberant wages means that the Tory party should be targeting them publicly just like they’ve targeted sports people.

And what about all the Tory party donators with billions in the bank?  Will they be contributing like all the sports donators?
 
I would say that City Bankers will already be paying their share through PAYE whereas most Premier League footballers will have complicated company structures to minimise theirs. The last thing the government wants is Bankers and high earners to stop working as you lose all the tax revenue, 40% above £38k and 45% above £150k plus the NI  on top
 
...................and by the way when did this  become a political thing?  

You don't think that City bankers will have "complicated company structures" to minimise their tax liabilities too? 


Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2020 at 15:20
Originally posted by Shamrose Shamrose wrote:

Originally posted by Monkey Boy Monkey Boy wrote:

Originally posted by Dobber Dobber wrote:

I suppose the argument is that City bankers are now having to earn their crust. Presumably they are working.  Footballers on the other hand are still being paid but haven't kicked a ball in anger for several weeks and aren't going to be doing so for several weeks more.... 


The markets should be suspended.

 
The very fact that they are earning exuberant wages means that the Tory party should be targeting them publicly just like they’ve targeted sports people.

And what about all the Tory party donators with billions in the bank?  Will they be contributing like all the sports donators?

 
I would say that City Bankers will already be paying their share through PAYE whereas most Premier League footballers will have complicated company structures to minimise theirs. The last thing the government wants is Bankers and high earners to stop working as you lose all the tax revenue, 40% above £38k and 45% above £150k plus the NI  on top
 
...................and by the way when did this  become a political thing?  


I'd say city high-fliers are likely to still be working, even if from home, whilst footballers haven't 'worked' for weeks.

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RAID ON


Posted By: Dad
Date Posted: 19 May 2020 at 00:03
Well Maidenhead advertiser (a sponsor of mrfc) are reporting they are level transferring to L&SE

https://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/gallery/maidenhead-rfc/158243/maidenhead-rfc-set-for-sideways-switch-from-south-west-premier-into-london-premier-league.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/gallery/maidenhead-rfc/158243/maidenhead-rfc-set-for-sideways-switch-from-south-west-premier-into-london-premier-league.html


Posted By: Mark W-J
Date Posted: 19 May 2020 at 08:19
The structure was confirmed in a link to a Twitter post from Hants RFU on this thread about three weeks ago:
http://rolling-maul.com/london-se-season-202021_topic18354.html" rel="nofollow - http://rolling-maul.com/london-se-season-202021_topic18354.html



Posted By: HAVANT TONY
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 20:50
Interesting  RFU plans for the restart of the 20/21 season

https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/return-to-competitive-playing-for-202021-season" rel="nofollow - https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/return-to-competitive-playing-for-202021-season


Posted By: RedPete
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 21:45
Originally posted by HAVANT TONY HAVANT TONY wrote:

Interesting  RFU plans for the restart of the 20/21 season

https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/return-to-competitive-playing-for-202021-season" rel="nofollow - https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/return-to-competitive-playing-for-202021-season

All pretty clear, but, unless I have missed something, what are the three windows?


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Compassion for the conned, contempt for the conmen.


Posted By: HAVANT TONY
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2020 at 22:44
Red Pete
The windows are..round,square and arched as playschool used to say😂
Sufficed to say I dont really know!! apart from guessing that they are seperate plans that will come into operation as and when the government  gives the go ahead for a contact sport to begin????


Posted By: Happy
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 08:46
Be interesting to see the split of the seven teams 🤔 would Maidenhead go north or south 


Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 09:04
I am not entirely sure of the point of option 1.
All teams play the same fixtures as normal but in a different order.
The local matches are played first - followed by the long trips.
In a 14 team league, the season needs two more weeks of fixtures - as in the first part of the season where there are two pools of 7, one team in each pool does not have an opponent.
So the long travel is postponed to the worse weather.

The teams with most travel - NCA play their fixtures in the normal order.

So for this option to happen we must be happy for contact sport to take place.
Happy for clubs to play in front of crowds - otherwise the National league and Championship will not happen.
Happy for Plymouth to visit Darlington
But feel Wimbledon should not visit Tring, until after Christmas.

Surely if you are going to do this then you apply it to the National league  - which are 16 team league so the sub leagues are of 8 and do not have the problem of the team missing out.  



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Sweeney Delenda Est


Posted By: Happy
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 09:16
Think that is more about economics, less travel and bigger local derby crowds to boost the coffers


Posted By: Mark W-J
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 11:02
Originally posted by RedPete RedPete wrote:

Originally posted by HAVANT TONY HAVANT TONY wrote:

Interesting  RFU plans for the restart of the 20/21 season

https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/return-to-competitive-playing-for-202021-season" rel="nofollow - https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/return-to-competitive-playing-for-202021-season

All pretty clear, but, unless I have missed something, what are the three windows?
Loosely defined as:
Window 1 - a full season, starting September/ October
Window 2 -  three-quarters of a season, starting November/ December
Window 3 - half a season, starting in January


Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 11:31
Originally posted by Happy Happy wrote:

Be interesting to see the split of the seven teams 🤔 would Maidenhead go north or south 

I'd presume north, depends if they do north/south or east/west. I think it's a little hard to do north/south.






Posted By: Happy
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 11:40
Went with north south as they will want to avoid longer journey east west brings in Brighton to North Walsham  for example 


Posted By: Happy
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 11:51

My guess at what it would look like 

North

North Walsham
Hertford 
Tring
Maidenhead
CS rugby
Sutton and Epsom
Wimbledon 

South 

Sidcup 
Sevenoaks
T wells
Brighton
Havant
Westcombe Park
Dorking 


Posted By: RedWhine
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 12:29
Living in Kent, I've got to say that looks a great mini league with big local derbies every week!

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Only Me


Posted By: RedPete
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 12:29
Originally posted by Mark W-J Mark W-J wrote:

Originally posted by RedPete RedPete wrote:

Originally posted by HAVANT TONY HAVANT TONY wrote:

Interesting  RFU plans for the restart of the 20/21 season

https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/return-to-competitive-playing-for-202021-season" rel="nofollow - https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/return-to-competitive-playing-for-202021-season

All pretty clear, but, unless I have missed something, what are the three windows?
Loosely defined as:
Window 1 - a full season, starting September/ October
Window 2 -  three-quarters of a season, starting November/ December
Window 3 - half a season, starting in January
I re-read the rfu article and the windows are to be defined "next week" but I suspect it will be similar to what you have described


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Compassion for the conned, contempt for the conmen.


Posted By: Dad
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 17:18
Originally posted by Camquin Camquin wrote:

I am not entirely sure of the point of option 1.
All teams play the same fixtures as normal but in a different order.
The local matches are played first - followed by the long trips.
In a 14 team league, the season needs two more weeks of fixtures - as in the first part of the season where there are two pools of 7, one team in each pool does not have an opponent.
So the long travel is postponed to the worse weather.


I would suspect the rationale is that if there is a winter flareup and contact tracing is needed - in the first half of the season you will only have met 6 other teams not 13


Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2020 at 11:04
Midlands Prem split conferences are out - can be found on Staffordshire RFU website


Posted By: Redted
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2020 at 11:37
I am not entirely sure of the point of option 1.
All teams play the same fixtures as normal but in a different order.
The local matches are played first - followed by the long trips.
In a 14 team league, the season needs two more weeks of fixtures - as in the first part of the season where there are two pools of 7, one team in each pool does not have an opponent.
So the long travel is postponed to the worse weather.

The teams with most travel - NCA play their fixtures in the normal order.

So for this option to happen we must be happy for contact sport to take place.
Happy for clubs to play in front of crowds - otherwise the National league and Championship will not happen.
Happy for Plymouth to visit Darlington
But feel Wimbledon should not visit Tring, until after Christmas.

Surely if you are going to do this then you apply it to the National league  - which are 16 team league so the sub leagues are of 8 and do not have the problem of the team missing out.  


Agree entirely the NCA should be the first to have their leagues split not the exception.

Happy for Plymouth to visit Darlington!
But feel Wimbledon should not visit Tring, until after Christmas.
Redruth to Bury St. Edmunds - 370 miles!


Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2020 at 11:44
I think we have established that the RFU cannot find a map with both hands and their elbow.

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Sweeney Delenda Est


Posted By: Dagfish
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2020 at 13:39
Originally posted by Thatbloke Thatbloke wrote:

Midlands Prem split conferences are out - can be found on Staffordshire RFU website
I'm a little confused by that post on  https://staffsrfu.com/return-to-competitive-playing-for-2020-21-season/" rel="nofollow - https://staffsrfu.com/return-to-competitive-playing-for-2020-21-season/ . It might be OK for Midlands Prem, but it seems very out of sync at the bottom of the pyramid. Bees were initialy told that we we would be entering the league at Midlands West 4 (South), but the Staffs RFU has us in Midlands West 5 (South). Also, none of the clubs we thought we were going to be playing appear anywhere in the structure at all (Bedworth, Birmingham Civil Service, Chaddesley Corbett, Claverdon, Coventrians, Harbury, Old Wheatleyans, Old Yardleians, Pershore, Rugby Welsh and Upton on Severn).


Posted By: Penda
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2020 at 11:13
Certainly the conference set up for Midlands Premier seems a little strange particularly if travel is the main criterion. eg Sandbach to SKiwifruithorpe?

Burton on Trent                      Bridgnorth

Doncaster Phoenix                  Broadstreet

Paviors                                   Bromsgrove

Sandbach                               Dudley Kingswinford

SKiwifruithorpe                             Newport (Salop)

Sheffield                                 Nuneaton                               

Syston                                    Oundle


A simple east/west split would seem to make more sense.

Broadstreet                                        Doncaster Phoenix

Sandbach                                         Paviors

Newport (Salop)                               Nuneaton

Dudley Kingswinford                      Oundle

Bridgnorth                                         SKiwifruithorpe

Bromsgrove                                       Syston

Burton on Trent                                Sheffield




Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2020 at 11:45
Penda - your groupings are eminently more sensible with Sandbach & Burton swapping with Nuns and Oundle
However, the devil in me suspects there may be more to the groupings than just travel. An abbreviated season, which seems highly likely, may mean the 12 conference games are the only ones that get played in which case there is a play off to determine who wins the League (and presumably promotion?)
Is it just coincidence that in 1 group we have 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th from last season and in the other 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th with only Paviors bucking that trend together with the relegated and promoted clubs?? In other words a basic attempt to have 2 equally balanced groups


Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2020 at 12:17
Originally posted by Thatbloke Thatbloke wrote:

Penda - your groupings are eminently more sensible with Sandbach & Broadstreet swapping with Nuns and Oundle
However, the devil in me suspects there may be more to the groupings than just travel. An abbreviated season, which seems highly likely, may mean the 12 conference games are the only ones that get played in which case there is a play off to determine who wins the League (and presumably promotion?)
Is it just coincidence that in 1 group we have 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th from last season and in the other 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th with only Paviors bucking that trend together with the relegated and promoted clubs?? In other words a basic attempt to have 2 equally balanced groups


Unfortunately, that is what happens when leagues are sub-divided.

If you want a balanced split then it is difficult to minimise the travel as much as you can if you forget standard and split on a strict regional basis.

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RAID ON


Posted By: Richmids
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2020 at 19:35
I wonder if they go with the conference route if sides might have friendlies with local sides to help boost up the fixtures and give players few more games?


Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2020 at 21:14
Originally posted by Richmids Richmids wrote:

I wonder if they go with the conference route if sides might have friendlies with local sides to help boost up the fixtures and give players few more games?


Is anyone really interested in friendly matches - IMO it is all about league matches where there is something at stake.

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RAID ON


Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2020 at 21:47
The conference system is to cope with a late start - there will not be time for friendlies. 

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Sweeney Delenda Est


Posted By: Penda
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2020 at 12:28
It's not a bad idea to fill blank Saturdays. As we are level transferred there are many of our traditional rivals that we don't play anymore apart from the odd county cup game eg Lymm, Macclesfield, Northwich, Wirral, Wilmslow.

All these would probably pull in bigger crowds than our usual fixtures. 

As for being 'friendlies', there's a lot to be said for local bragging rights to bring a little er.. edge to games.


Posted By: Kentish Man
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2020 at 15:37
Hi,
       Does anyone have the groupings for London Prem yet ?


Posted By: PiffPaff
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2020 at 16:07
I've been told RFU Comps embargoed the release of this proposed Conferences in all four Divisions, so I'm guessing someone in the Midlands is going to get a rap on the knuckles. Lose lips sink ships :)

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Crouch, Bind, Tweet!


Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2020 at 17:19
Originally posted by PiffPaff PiffPaff wrote:

I've been told RFU Comps embargoed the release of this proposed Conferences in all four Divisions, so I'm guessing someone in the Midlands is going to get a rap on the knuckles. Lose lips sink ships :)

Do they get some sort of perverse satisfaction by keeping us in suspense? They do it every year, never give us a set date, drag it out and just release them quietly without telling anyone.


Posted By: ballbag
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2020 at 09:43
Originally posted by Raider999 Raider999 wrote:

Originally posted by Richmids Richmids wrote:

I wonder if they go with the conference route if sides might have friendlies with local sides to help boost up the fixtures and give players few more games?


Is anyone really interested in friendly matches - IMO it is all about league matches where there is something at stake.

I don't think there is such thing as a friendly game in rugby, and the sport managed for over 160 years without leagues until they were first introduced in 1987 - so I'm sure a few friendlies to fill any blank weekends won't be an issue this season


Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2020 at 13:20
So the earliest we  can start is 10th October
Window 2 - 26th November
Window 3 - 6th Feb
Ols news if you've already seen the RFU post


Posted By: B4L
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2020 at 16:30
I read it as.....

"Playing Windows represent the latest date by which normal matches can resume"


Therefore if we start back anytime before 10th Oct then playing Window 1 will be played? anytime between 11th Oct and 28th Nov playing window 2 and so on...


Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2020 at 17:12
Hope you're right B4L - we'll see! 


Posted By: Moreclubsthantiger
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2020 at 00:54
Wimbledon 
Hertford
Tring
Maidenhead
Sidcup
CS Stags 1863
North Walsham 


Sutton & Epsom
Dorking
Tunbridge Wells 
Sevenoaks
Brighton
Havant
Westcombe Park





Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2020 at 08:20
You ARE right B4L - my mistake! 


Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2020 at 17:19
Any news on fixtures yet chaps?


Posted By: HAVANT TONY
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 16:12
FIXTURES 
https://www.englandrugby.com/dxdam/e1/e1d475c8-4183-4187-ab0b-45d41ea385b8/LSE%20Fixtures%202020-2021.pdf" rel="nofollow - https://www.englandrugby.com/dxdam/e1/e1d475c8-4183-4187-ab0b-45d41ea385b8/LSE%20Fixtures%202020-2021.pdf


Posted By: MikeGC
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2020 at 09:31
Proposed fixtures for the Northern Division

https://www.englandrugby.com/dxdam/5a/5a5533a8-5099-4f9b-9d7d-8d8099c4f2fc/North%20Fixtures%202020-2021.pdf" rel="nofollow - https://www.englandrugby.com/dxdam/5a/5a5533a8-5099-4f9b-9d7d-8d8099c4f2fc/North%20Fixtures%202020-2021.pdf


Posted By: HAVANT TONY
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2020 at 21:41
We all sort of knew this was coming..SEASON OVER..before it has even begun...RFU MADE THE CALL TODAY!!!


Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2020 at 22:11
Originally posted by HAVANT TONY HAVANT TONY wrote:

We all sort of knew this was coming..SEASON OVER..before it has even begun...RFU MADE THE CALL TODAY!!!
Disgusting decision

Looks like it's up to the clubs to organise something themselves, just like it was done back before league rugby. Going back to the old days it seems.

Unofficial Underground league rugby has begun! (or not)


Posted By: Halliford
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2020 at 07:59
The NCA are working on a cup competition for Levels 3 and 4 and a friend is doing similar for London at levels 5 - 10. If we are allowed to play, probably the adapted form that the elite women are playing, there will be some rugby to watch from January.


Posted By: PiffPaff
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2020 at 10:03
Nigel you rapidly becoming the Rugby version of Sean Spicer & every single Whitehouse Press Secretary after him.

If by friend do you mean someone from the London & SE DOC like Paul Astbury?

We won't be playing rugby in January, probably not even February so lets hope whatever is produced is small/local and easy to implement, something that could have already been done weeks if not months ago!


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Crouch, Bind, Tweet!


Posted By: Halliford
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2020 at 12:19
I have a functioning brain, unlike White House Press Secretaries! Not Paul, but one of the other members of that Committee who is working on Levels 5-10. 

The NCA has been discussing and refining an alternative plan to implement in January. A version of it was floated on these pages last month. 

Whether or not we play rugby in January is sadly in the hands of Dominic Cummings and his political aides. Since they appear to be unable to manage any element of the country correctly at the moment, sadly you are likely to be right. 

If we don't play, how many Clubs will survive the lack of income?


Posted By: wanderer
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2020 at 22:37
You’re having a laugh Halliford, I don’t fancy your chances with Kayleigh McEnany on any subject. 


Posted By: DICKON
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2020 at 18:49
We wont be playing any rugby this season folks, and it’s not the RFU’s fault. Pray that we can beat this pandemic with sensible policies and/or that a vaccine can be developed, because right now, we have neither. My guess is next season at the earliest for a return.


Posted By: Ancient Oak
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2020 at 12:17
Sorry Dickon. Missed this latest burst of activity on the site. You are spot on in all aspects. Time to stop speculating and take a reality check sad as it is for all of us but particularly the players who will have lost over a year of their rugby careers.

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"Heaven prosper our sport"


Posted By: HAVANT TONY
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2020 at 13:15
Hearing that a mini league is on the cards for Us against Brighton,  Haywards heath ,Horsham, Guildford and Chichester with a look to a POSSIBLE start in January ! not sure of the rules involving scrums and mauls though🤔


Posted By: cobbler
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2020 at 19:21
In the Midlands 7 clusters of 6 teams have been proposed comprising level 5 and 6 teams (Midlands Premier, M1E and M1W) chosen by geography. Clubs have been asked to opt in or out by 30th November.

The document received states the below:

This proposal is based around five principles.

 

·       Providing clubs with structured local competitive fixtures

·       Based on contact rugby (either full contact or adapted variations dependent on HM Government advice)

·       Minimised travel times

·       Local clusters of up to 7 teams (the number will vary according to specific regions and on agreed local needs)

·       Relaxed regulations to remove barriers to participation



Posted By: HAVANT TONY
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2020 at 20:37
INTERESTING NEWS FROM HAMPSHIRE  RUGBY   

    https://www.hampshirerugby.co.uk/news/current/2780-breaking-news-return-to-play-approved.html?fbclid=IwAR2Ef0k29Q0jJrglWX1_D6pZ1JE4jAaJWCTz95Ft2b2UlqO8LlTZF00y_Bs%20" rel="nofollow - https://www.hampshirerugby.co.uk/news/current/2780-breaking-news-return-to-play-approved.html?fbclid=IwAR2Ef0k29Q0jJrglWX1_D6pZ1JE4jAaJWCTz95Ft2b2UlqO8LlTZF00y_Bs


Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2020 at 21:38
Originally posted by HAVANT TONY HAVANT TONY wrote:

INTERESTING NEWS FROM HAMPSHIRE  RUGBY   

    https://www.hampshirerugby.co.uk/news/current/2780-breaking-news-return-to-play-approved.html?fbclid=IwAR2Ef0k29Q0jJrglWX1_D6pZ1JE4jAaJWCTz95Ft2b2UlqO8LlTZF00y_Bs%20" rel="nofollow - https://www.hampshirerugby.co.uk/news/current/2780-breaking-news-return-to-play-approved.html?fbclid=IwAR2Ef0k29Q0jJrglWX1_D6pZ1JE4jAaJWCTz95Ft2b2UlqO8LlTZF00y_Bs

I'd very much like to see how refs are going to police the no mauls rule.  


Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2020 at 22:06
Watch the Premier 15s on youtube to sea how it works.


-------------
Sweeney Delenda Est


Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 01 Dec 2020 at 20:49
Originally posted by Robb Robb wrote:

Originally posted by HAVANT TONY HAVANT TONY wrote:

INTERESTING NEWS FROM HAMPSHIRE  RUGBY   

    https://www.hampshirerugby.co.uk/news/current/2780-breaking-news-return-to-play-approved.html?fbclid=IwAR2Ef0k29Q0jJrglWX1_D6pZ1JE4jAaJWCTz95Ft2b2UlqO8LlTZF00y_Bs%20" rel="nofollow - https://www.hampshirerugby.co.uk/news/current/2780-breaking-news-return-to-play-approved.html?fbclid=IwAR2Ef0k29Q0jJrglWX1_D6pZ1JE4jAaJWCTz95Ft2b2UlqO8LlTZF00y_Bs



I'd very much like to see how refs are going to police the no mauls rule.  


Presumably by blowing his whistle and giving a free kick against the offending side?

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RAID ON


Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2020 at 16:23
Not sure about elsewhere but these RFU proposed clusters are proving to be a shambles in the Midlands. Many clubs are choosing their own little clusters leaving many clubs who want to partake high and dry without opposition unless they are prepared to travel - which defeats the whole exercise? 


Posted By: Penda
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2020 at 16:49
We had a Midlands cluster but it proved to be impossible to get any of the sides to take part for various reasons. We seem to be the only side desperate to get back on the park.

We have now approached a group of northern clubs in our area and hopefully we can join up with them. It does mean we can revisit some teams that we haven't played for some time. 


Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2020 at 17:28
Originally posted by Thatbloke Thatbloke wrote:

Not sure about elsewhere but these RFU proposed clusters are proving to be a shambles in the Midlands. Many clubs are choosing their own little clusters leaving many clubs who want to partake high and dry without opposition unless they are prepared to travel - which defeats the whole exercise? 

We've heard nothing from London & South East either.


Posted By: DICKON
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2020 at 19:11
Thats not true Robb- the London RFU are in regular touch with the Level 5 and 6 clubs, including some emails this week.


Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2020 at 21:29
Originally posted by DICKON DICKON wrote:

Thats not true Robb- the London RFU are in regular touch with the Level 5 and 6 clubs, including some emails this week.

I'm not in the know so all I know is what goes on the public websites.


Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2020 at 15:26
Originally posted by Robb Robb wrote:

Originally posted by DICKON DICKON wrote:

Thats not true Robb- the London RFU are in regular touch with the Level 5 and 6 clubs, including some emails this week.

I'm not in the know so all I know is what goes on the public websites.

Oh dear.


Posted By: Robb
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2020 at 23:25
Originally posted by WEvans WEvans wrote:

Originally posted by Robb Robb wrote:

Originally posted by DICKON DICKON wrote:

Thats not true Robb- the London RFU are in regular touch with the Level 5 and 6 clubs, including some emails this week.

I'm not in the know so all I know is what goes on the public websites.

Oh dear.

Explain


Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2020 at 14:39
Originally posted by Robb Robb wrote:

Originally posted by WEvans WEvans wrote:

Originally posted by Robb Robb wrote:

Originally posted by DICKON DICKON wrote:

Thats not true Robb- the London RFU are in regular touch with the Level 5 and 6 clubs, including some emails this week.

I'm not in the know so all I know is what goes on the public websites.

Oh dear.

Explain

Yes sir!

Public websites are hardly known for providing definitive and accurate information as Dickon has just proved. Look at this one for a start as you have just proved!


Posted By: Penda
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2020 at 17:16
Originally posted by Penda Penda wrote:

We had a Midlands cluster but it proved to be impossible to get any of the sides to take part for various reasons. We seem to be the only side desperate to get back on the park.

We have now approached a group of northern clubs in our area and hopefully we can join up with them. It does mean we can revisit some teams that we haven't played for some time. 

Our cluster (Sandbach) is now as follows -  

BIRKENHEAD PARK
LYMM
MACCLESFIELD
NORTHWICH
WATERLOO
WILMSLOW
WIRRAL

Looking forward to renewing some old acquaintances.


Posted By: MikeGC
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2020 at 19:25
The Burnage cluster is
ALTRINCHAM KERSAL
BOWDON
BROUGHTON PARK
BURNAGE
GLOSSOP
MANCHESTER
STOCKPORT
             


Posted By: PiffPaff
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2020 at 06:30
Mike you missed MMU off

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Crouch, Bind, Tweet!


Posted By: MikeGC
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2020 at 08:05
Originally posted by PiffPaff PiffPaff wrote:

Mike you missed MMU off


Thanks, MMU aren't on the Lancashire RFU PDF I took the information from - although I did know we're supposed to be in a 7 or 8 team cluster.
Although if Greater Manchester stays Tier 3 and High Peak slips into Tier 2 (Glossop) or vice versa things could still change


Posted By: HAVANT TONY
Date Posted: 25 Dec 2020 at 00:37
Was looking forward immensely  to our first meaningful game of rugby last Saturday in what seems an eternity....a friendly  against Eastleigh (who we were meant to play in the HAMPSHIRE cup final last season!)
BUT two days before the game the Havant area was one the first recipients of the tier 4  brigade so it was  obviously cancelled !
Even though we ALL want to see our clubs play let's face it, it wont happen until the vaccines are rolled out



Posted By: oldbill10
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2020 at 16:35
Watched my first game yesterday a local derby Billingham development squad v Stockton development squad the final score line flattered Billingham 82-0. The game was in 4 quarters and most of the points came in the last two as Billingham’s greater squad depth showed. Speaking to Stockton after the game the message was first it was great to play some form of rugby and even though they were on the wrong end of the score they took a lot of positives from the game so much so that they want to play again. To put some history to this game Billingham 1st team use to play regular fixtures against Stockton 3rds such was the gulf and credit has to be given to the way Billingham have invested time and money in making sure the youth section is well looked after and whilst the recent history as seen the teams pass in the current league structures Stockton currently have a formidable sized youth section which I hope and no doubt will give them a strong future. 



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