The North West Counties Football League and FC Isle of Man announce that following ongoing discussions between both parties that FC Isle of Man's playing membership in the NWCFL Division One South will be suspended for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.
Both the League and FC Isle of Man have attempted to delay this decision for as long as possible, but after much consideration and taking into account the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, both in the UK and on the island, it has been agreed to allow the club a temporary suspension of it’s playing membership until the end of the current season. This decision allows the NWCFL to concentrate on resolving the ongoing fixture issues for the remaining member clubs in the context of the new Tier rules withing England to ensure that the league can be concluded by 31st May 2021 as per the directive of the Football Association.
The NWCFL confirmed that there is no risk to FC Isle of Man’s place in the NWCFL league for season 2021/22 and that the club retains its place as a member of the NWCFL for the 2020/21 season.
Paul Lawler, Chairman of The North West Counties Football League, said:
“I would like to thank the Committee of FC Isle of Man for their continued communication throughout the pandemic. We are all disappointed that they have been unable to fulfil their ambition to begin life in the National League System due to circumstances beyond all of our control. We look forward to their first competitive League game in 2021/22 when hopefully the pandemic is over and normality is restored.”
Paul Jones, FC Isle of Man Director of Football stated:
“This decision is a sensible one from both the League and our club’s perspective. The ongoing travel restrictions both here on the island and in the UK mean that it is unlikely that we would complete all required fixtures by the end of May 2021. Our temporary playing suspension from the League will allow the NWCFL to prepare the remaining fixtures for league and it will allow us as a club to continue the organisational, structural and administrative preparations required to place the club in an even better position in preparation for the start of the 2021/22 season.
“We wish all other members clubs the very best for the remainder of the season and we look forward to meeting them properly and hosting their teams and supporters on the island next season.”
