Ladies and Youth Seasons Declared Null and Void

Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, it has been decided by the FA that the current seasons involving our Ladies team, Ladies Development team, U23s, U21s, U19s and U17s have all reached their conclusion, with results from the season to be expunged.

As a result, our Ladies' final fixture of the season was played on 2nd February as Martin Powell ended his spell as Caretaker Manager with a 5-1 win at South Shields, with Bob Wilkinson poised to take over for the 2020/21 season.

Powell's side ended the season top of the league with a County Cup Semi-Final on the horizon.

The West Riding County FA Development League which contains our U23 and U21 teams has also come to its conclusion. Josh Falkingham's U23s ended the season top of the table with 13 wins from 13 matches, scoring 80 goals. Paul Barker's newly formed U21s meanwhile finished in a respectable ninth position in their first season as a team.

Our U19 Youth Alliance team end the season in sixth place on 26 points, having played their final fixture on Wednesday 11th March, a 2-1 victory over Gateshead at The CNG Stadium.

Our U17s finished in second place with seven wins from seven and three games in hand on the team in first.

Josh Walsh's side also had the WRCC Final to look forward to having beaten Horsforth 6-3 in the Semi-Final in what turned out to be the final game of the season.

We would like to place on record our thanks to the coaches, players and supporters of the above teams and congratulate them on their performance this season, despite the premature ending.

The FA statement issued yesterday (26th March 2019) included the following...

"The Football Association [The FA] has been working collaboratively with the National League System [NLS], the Women’s Football Pyramid and the wider grassroots game since the outbreak of COVID-19 on how to conclude the 2019/20 season in the most appropriate way possible.
 
"These are challenging circumstances for English football and all decisions taken are in the best interests of the game and in consultation across key stakeholders. Our primary concern will always be for the safety and welfare of clubs, players, staff, officials, volunteers and supporters during this unprecedented time.
 
"Today’s steps take into account the financial impact during this uncertain period, whilst considering the fairest method on how the sporting outcomes for the season will be decided, with the integrity of the Leagues in mind.
 
"The NLS and the Women’s Football Pyramid were able to build a consensus amongst their leagues and, where possible, aimed to create a consistent approach across all leagues, whilst taking into account the unique characteristics of each individual league.

"Furthermore, we can now confirm that The FA has decided that all grassroots football is concluded for the 2019/20 season. This will allow the game to move forward and to commence planning for next season. Our County Football Associations [CFAs] will be supporting grassroots leagues over the coming days to determine how they should close out their current competitions.

"In the women’s game, The FA, FA Women’s Board members and the Women’s Football Conference have consulted and reached a consensus regarding the Women’s Football Pyramid.
 
"The FA and the Leagues within Tiers 3 to 7 have reached a consensus to bring the season to an immediate end and all results will be expunged. This will mean no promotion or relegation of clubs between Tiers 3 to 7. Agreement has also been reached to end the Regional Talent Clubs season, which was due to conclude in April 2020."