Playoffs???

[Paul]

Is this something that would provide some extra excitement to the SWP leagues. 

This season in the premier division has been pretty dull with one team pulling out before a ball had been kicked. Bovey then suffered heavy defeats and didn't turn up to play one match gifting St Austell 3 points towards what seemed like a long wait to see them lift the title with little challenge this season. Bovey were almost relegated before September so the bottom sides had little to worry about all season.

The East and West divisions have provided a much better title challenge between teams yet with only one promotion spot it leaves lots of teams with little to play for from early one. Appledore can still win the East title yet they won't go up. Not a good situation in what is a regional league system. 

So to give all 3 divisions a little extra excitement and more to play for how about 3 teams get relegated. The champions from East and West get promoted. No choice. Then in the East and West 2nd and 3rd play off. Team that finishes higher is at home. Then the winner of East plays winner of West at a neutral venue to win promotion. 

Another way could be just the East and West 2nd place teams play off on a neutral venue with the winners playing the third bottom Premier division side to see if they swap divisions. 

Thoughts?????

Edited April 30, 2015 by Paul

[Nick Pope]

From SWPL Website Forum: The criteria used for entry to Step 6 (SWPL Premier) is that clubs must be compliant with FA Grade H as a minimum and have active planning permission to install lights, and give an undertaking to achieve FA Grade G by 31st March next year.

This has a big impact on the idea of forcing any division winners to go up and also any play-off winners.

If clubs are not able to provide what is required for Step 6 then relegation from the Premier may not mean you would have to finish at the bottom

For me that would be silly for a team to have a good season in Premier just to be told 'your relegated for not meeting the criteria' (it may genually not be possible for certain clubs to acheive it)!

If there was no linked issues with ground grading then I agree some sort of system like you mentioned would be a good idea to 'spice up' promotion and relegation between divisions!

Edited April 30, 2015 by Nick Pope