Matlock Town boss thinks 'the writing is on the wall' for NPL season

Matlock boss Paul Phillips says he feels there can be no other decision than to null and void the NPL for a second successive season.
Paul Phillips thinks the NPL season will be null and voided.Paul Phillips thinks the NPL season will be null and voided.
Paul Phillips thinks the NPL season will be null and voided.

Last week the National League North and South divisions were declared null and void and with no promotion to and no relegation from these two divisions.

It seems highly likely that the four feeder divisions, the NPL, Southern Central Premier, Southern Premier South and West and the Isthmian League) will follow suit.

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Phillips said: “The writing’s on the wall I think. The two higher divisions have made their decision, so I don’t think it’ll be too tough a call to make for our level.

"Also we as a club have thirty six games to play, and you have to give the lads time to prepare again after being inactive for four months.”

Phillips said it would be nice to see a round robin Derbyshire clubs tournament to round the season off.

“There’s the likes of Alfreton, Buxton, Mickleover, Belper and others, if we could get six or seven teams involved it would be a great idea rather than playing meaningless friendlies,” he added.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson indicated that grass roots football could return in his route plan to normality this week. But this doesn’t include clubs in steps 3 to 6 of the non league pyramid with the FA stating that the situation is ongoing with a further update to be released in due course.

Meanwhile Matlock have appointed Ryan Winson as Head of Recruitment.

Winson has served both Curzon Ashton as Head Scout and Boston United as first team scout.

His duties included watching opposition teams, providing detailed reports on them and watching potential signings keeping and updating a database of these players.

For Phillips it is a major appointment.

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“It’ll help me out immensely as at present I spend a lot of time going to games and having Ryan in this role will not only ease the burden,” he said.

"It will also ensure that we cover all angles so we’re best prepared for games and hopefully have the personnel we want. Ryan has great expertise in his field and I’m delighted to welcome him to the football club”.