Grass Roots Footie 2017/18

[Nigglyb]

Greenpeace are protesting outside Elland Road this morning

Greenpeace are claiming in the past week Leeds have got rid of a wood & decimated a forest

[Zidane]

Hard to believe its August Bank Holiday back in the UK.There used to be a full programme of fixtures and bumper crowds but now its just the Conference which includes the Cheshire derby between Chester and Macclesfield,so there should be a decent crowd for that one.
Never mind,tomorrow theres a whole raft of EFL Trophy matches which includes Scunthorpe v Sunderland U21's,Oldham v Port Vale and Forest Green v Newport.

[Zidane]

Yesterdays Cheshire derby resulted in a convincing 2-0 victory for visitors Macclesfield over near rivals Chester.
After a dodgy 3 match spell,2 victories have propelled the Silkmen into 11th spot with the same number of points as the team in 5th which is a play off place........only 2 points behind second placed teams Dagenham & Redbridge and Leyton Orient as well.

[panmotor]

Maybe our respected football experts and non league gurus can answer this and save me googling and getting an unintelligible answer ......

I was looking at the National League (Conference) table on the BBC website and noticed that, as always, the top team appears to be promoted and the next 4 play off. However, the 6th and 7th teams also seem to be divided off to suggest that they are playing off for something.

To compound my confusion, I looked at National League North and I see that, here, the top 7 are divided off and the leaders don't seem to be automatically promoted - my 2nd team (OK, 4th after Leeds reserves and UDFC), Harrogate, are top here so that is a bit of a downer.

[BobHelm]

It is a new thing this season, apparently, & one that I had not read about before...(so thanks PM)..

From Wiki (which I always find useful in explaining things like this...

In 2004, a restructuring of the National League System saw the creation of a new level immediately below the National League; two regional divisions now named National League North and National League South were created, with the feeder leagues dropping below them. There are two promotion places to the National League's top division from each regional division – the champions are promoted automatically, while the remaining place is again decided by semi final play-offs and a Promotion Final. The four teams relegated from the National League (i.e. the highest division) are then allocated to one or other of the regional divisions dependent on their geographical location.

In May 2017, the National League proposed a revamp in the play-offs for all three divisions. Under the new system, the number of teams playing for promotion was increased to six. The clubs finishing second and third automatically proceed to a semi-final at their home ground, while the clubs in fourth and fifth stage respective qualifying round ties against the teams finishing seventh and sixth. The winners of those matches then complete the semi-final line up.[3] These proposals were approved at the National League's annual general meeting on 10 June.

[panmotor]

Thanks Bob. That makes sense for the Conference itself but, if I read that correctly, the BBC should have a dotted line under Harrogate and Chelmsford (Conference South) as they would go up automatically. Why do I pay my licence fee if they cant even be bothered to understand non-league football

[BobHelm]

Spot on PM...

I have given up on the BBC for fixtures & scores now - especially for non-league.
They have combined the 2 under date headed tabs. This sounds like a good idea, but when I get up in the morning & want to check the scores it means that I have to access yesterday's date - it never seems to be able to 'load' the tab..

[Zidane]

The winners of the Conference North and South still get automatic promotion to the Conference National league.
Its nice that you support Harrogate as its a lot more upmarket place than Leeds but what about Guiseley which is just down the road from Elland Road ?
Macc fans speak very highly of Guiseley saying it is a well run club with friendly fans.

[panmotor]

Agree with you Bob. That scores/fixtures thing is crap as are the tables now with no drop down box!

We are all friendly in Leeds Zid!! I used to do a bit of kids footie coaching and never forgave Guiseley for beating my lads in a cup final once. As for Harrogate, yes I am reet posh so associate myself more with the aristocracy there (I even eat my tripe off proper crockery)

[stattointhailand]

And to make things even worse ........ WHERE'S THE BLOODY VIDEOPRINTER ON SATURDAYS

They asked for comments about the new systems fix/results and tables, but when you tell them they are cr*p and user unfriendly you dont even get a reply from them explaining WHY they have made it far worse.

Eventually found another source for videoprinter, but doesn't seem the same ...... been watching it on BBC for probably more than 50 yrs

[stattointhailand]

Niggly/pan you guys are looking for a new striker ...... get an offer in for Dwight Gayle b4 Thurs night

[Nigglyb]

Mrs N has been on a bit of a spending spree but I might be able to dib in B1500 at a push

[stattointhailand]

Might take a bit more than that, but I'm sure theres a a few bob in a drawer somewhere at Elland Rd

[Nigglyb]

I'll go & have a root about in the Elland Road Catering Departments drawer. Behind the spoons, tap washers, 3amp fuses, Berthas oven gloves & rolls of sellotape. There might be a bit of loose change there

[stattointhailand]

He's good for 20+ Championship goals a season ...... might be able to do a deal for B1500, a couple of washers and Bertha (I've 'eard she's a bit tasty "up front")

[stattointhailand]

He's good for 20+ Championship goals a season ...... might be able to do a deal for B1500, a couple of washers and Bertha (I've 'eard she's a bit tasty "up front")

Sorry Niggly you weren't quick enough ..... now sky have got hold of it



[b]20:03

GAYLE SET FOR EXIT?

Newcastle could be set to offload striker Dwight Gayle before Thursday's deadline - but only if they manage to line up a replacement.

Gayle was left out of the Rafa Benitez's squad on Saturday as both strikers Joselu and Aleksandar Mitrovic scored in the 3-0 win over West Ham.

Despite ending last season as top scorer in the Championship, the 27-year-old has failed to shine in the opening two defeats to Tottenham and Huddersfield and was dropped at the weekend.
[/b]

[panmotor]

Cant believe I am saying this but he isnt good enough to get in our present 1st XI. I just know that its all going t*** up in a few weeks but, let me gloat whilst I can

[Zidane]

A selection of EFL (Checkatrade) Trophy results from last night.......

Forest Green 2 Newport 0 (attendance 1,090)
Oldham Athletic 0 Port Vale 0 (Port Vale win 4-2 on penalties) no attendance given.....possibly no-one there.
Scunthorpe 3 Sunderland U 21's 1 (attendance 1,127)

[stattointhailand]

A selection of EFL (Checkatrade) Trophy results from last night.......

Forest Green 2 Newport 0 (attendance 1,090)
Oldham Athletic 0 Port Vale 0 (Port Vale win 4-2 on penalties) no attendance given.....possibly no-one there.
Scunthorpe 3 Sunderland U 21's 1 (attendance 1,127)

Another selection from last night .....

Gillingham 2 Southend 1
Oldham 0 Port Vale 0
Crewe 1 Newcastle U21's 2 (Att 1351 inc 135 on coaches from Newcastle)

[valiant]

Onwards and Upwards. No goals conceded a win on penalties