Emley to return to the NCEL, but Skegness stay

Emley AFC have successfully won their fight to return to the Toolstation NCEL after a year in the North West Counties.

Emley were controversially moved into the North West Counties last summer and although they were on course to win promotion until the season was expunged, Richard Tracey’s side had long away trips nearly every week.

Emley appealed to return to the NCEL for the upcoming season and the FA have confirmed the switch in the league allocations for the 20/21.

Emley have replaced Ollerton Town who have been moved into the East Midlands League. The Premier Division is untouched which could upset a few as some wanted a cutdown on midweek matches – which are now going to be significantly increased.

Emley interim Chairman, Andrew Painten said: “We submitted a very strong application, backed by a dossier of evidence, to be returned to the NCEL. We have lobbied hard over many months and I’m very pleased the FA have now granted our wishes. We’re a Yorkshire club – the previous Emley were stalwarts in the Yorkshire League and a founder member of the NCEL – so it’s good to be back ‘home’.

“We were made very welcome by the clubs in the NWCFL and we wish everyone we managed to meet on our travels the very best of luck. My personal thanks to committee member Ian Mason who supported me with the application.”

The bad news for most Yorkshire-based Division One clubs is that Skegness Town remain in the Division.

For many it is a two hour journey and several managers have expressed views that during a pandemic the distance is too far.

They have cited current coach travel dressing room guidance as a reason. Players could potentially face two hour trips wearing muddy kits.

Skegness themselves face a battle too as they have to use coaches for nearly all their away trips.

Clubs will play 38 league games and some managers have expressed doubt as to whether that is achievable in the event of a September start, given the potential of local lockdowns, second spikes and bad weather.