L2 season formally ended

[Oldstripy]

League Two clubs have formally voted to bring their season to a conclusion.

It follows a meeting between English Football League sides on Tuesday, during which it was agreed to keep promotion, relegation and play-offs.

The league table will be settled by a points-per-game format, meaning Swindon, Crewe and Plymouth go up and Stevenage are set to go down.

Clubs in League One are due to vote later on Tuesday to decide whether or not to bring their season to an end.

In order for a campaign to be curtailed, 51% of sides in any given EFL division need to agree to it - which could pave the way for the third-tier to be cancelled after teams had previously been split over a resolution.

Talks stalled after at least six clubs, including Sunderland, Portsmouth and Ipswich Town, said they wanted to continue the season.

Elite football in England has been suspended since 13 March because of coronavirus, with only the Premier League and Championship so far committing to resuming their seasons later this month.

Which teams are set to be promoted & relegated?
While the top half remains largely unaffected by the points-per-game system used, there is still some uncertainty over the situation at the other end of the table.

While Stevenage look set to finish bottom, matters have been complicated by the fresh EFL charge handed to Macclesfield Town on 1 June, relating to late payment of wages in March and for "failing to act with utmost good faith in respect of matters with the EFL and for breaching an order, requirement, direction or instruction of the league".

Macclesfield are three points ahead of bottom side Stevenage, who have a game in hand.

However, the Silkmen have already had 11 points deducted for previous rule breaches this season and have a further suspended two-point penalty hanging over them if they transgress again.

In a statement, the EFL said "due to ongoing disciplinary matters, the final placings cannot yet be confirmed".

As it stands, this is how promotion, relegation and the play-offs will finish:

Promoted: Swindon Town (champions), Crewe Alexandra, Plymouth Argyle
Play-offs: Cheltenham Town v Northampton Town, Exeter City v Colchester United
Relegated: Stevenage
Wembley to host League Two play-off final
Following Tuesday's vote, it was announced that the League Two play-off semi-finals are to begin on Thursday, 18 June - two days before the Championship season is set to resume.

The final, which will take place on Monday, 29 June, is to be held at Wembley as originally planned. All games will be held behind closed doors.

Thursday, 18 June: Semi-final first legs

Colchester United v Exeter City (17:15 BST)
Northampton Town v Cheltenham Town (19:45 BST)
Monday, 22 June: Semi-final second legs

Exeter City v Colchester United (17:15 BST)
Cheltenham Town v Northampton Town (20:00 BST)
Monday, 29 June: Final

TBC

More to fol

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52705124

[Evesham Pie]

That opens for the door for the NL now.

Those L2 play off dates are only just over a week away. Could Notts also be back in action within 10 days????

I hope that the matches are live streamed.

[Oldstripy]

That opens for the door for the NL now.

Those L2 play off dates are only just over a week away. Could Notts also be back in action within 10 days????

I hope that the matches are live streamed.

I hope Notts are recalling the players to training asap.

As an after thought, do Notts need permission to resume training?

[Oldstripy]

From Ian Dennis twitter.

National League Board will meet tomorrow afternoon. EFL outcome will influence their approach with a view of communicating news to clubs before the end of the week.

[Woodsetts_Pie]

The Bury vacancy plus only one relegation, means that there now has to be a play off between at least 2 teams (Notts & Harrogate)
It would have made life easy all round for the NL if the EFL had relegated both Stevenage and Macclesfield, as that would leave 3 vacancies above, and Barrow, Harrogate and Notts could bump up without the need for a play off.

[ncfcog]

The Bury vacancy plus only one relegation, means that there now has to be a play off between at least 2 teams (Notts & Harrogate)
It would have made life easy all round for the NL if the EFL had relegated both Stevenage and Macclesfield, as that would leave 3 vacancies above, and Barrow, Harrogate and Notts could bump up without the need for a play off.

Yep, I think this is something Chinawhite mentioned a few times and would have been nice. Either way we have to fancy our chances over one or two games in play off's regardless of who we meet and at least we would have had the chance to finish the job regardless of the outcome.

[Evesham Pie]

From Ian Dennis twitter.

National League Board will meet tomorrow afternoon. EFL outcome will influence their approach with a view of communicating news to clubs before the end of the week.

So they're going to give the clubs sod all time to get ready for these v ital fixtures by not making a decision promptly? Surely with the precedent set in the EFL its PPG and playoffs as normal. Why waste further time reinventing the wheel?

[chedozie]

I would think they would need to have a meeting about it then announcing that a final meeting would need to be had before making their final decision.

[magpie_mania]

That opens for the door for the NL now.

Those L2 play off dates are only just over a week away. Could Notts also be back in action within 10 days????

I hope that the matches are live streamed.

Northampton started back training on 1st June and their first game is 18 June so nearly 3 weeks prep.

[magpie_mania]

The Bury vacancy plus only one relegation, means that there now has to be a play off between at least 2 teams (Notts & Harrogate)
It would have made life easy all round for the NL if the EFL had relegated both Stevenage and Macclesfield, as that would leave 3 vacancies above, and Barrow, Harrogate and Notts could bump up without the need for a play off.

L2 have seen sense and gone for the fairest way.

If NL follow suit and play the play-offs as originally planned at the start of the season that will be fair.