As many of us are caught up in the excitement that comes with the final weeks of the season, regardless of which end of the table our teams are competing at, it’s easy to forget this was far from guaranteed a few months ago.
This will be the first season completed in its entirety for teams step two and below since 2018/19, with 2019/20 and 2020/21 cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been far from plain sailing, with many games falling by the wayside due to players isolating with the virus – certainly in the professional game, where regular testing takes place.
For fans of teams whose last two seasons have been curtailed, this is the first run-in for three years – a sentence that doesn’t seem real to type, but it’s fact. Not since 2019 have fans step two and below had the drama of promotion and relegation, eagerly awaiting news of results elsewhere whilst cheering their side on.
This is the time of year that we, football fans, experience the agony and the ecstasy of the beautiful game and it’s great to have it back.
What it Means for Clubs
Numerous clubs have just cause to feel hard done by, missing out on the opportunity of promotion. For example, Dorking Wanderers were five points clear at the top of the National League South with a game-in-hand on second-placed Dartford when the season was eventually declared null and void on 18 February 2021. Fast-forward to this season and Dorking will be granted their opportunity at promotion as they are guaranteed a spot in the play-offs at least, without an outside chance of leapfrogging Maidstone United at the top in an automatic promotion spot.
Dorking is just one example of many and, with the season having not quite reached the halfway point by the time of the declaration, it’s impossible to say with absolute certainty that they would have maintained the same momentum. This season, there will be no arguments (at least none about who would have gone up and down) as a crescendo will be reached.
The mere fact that the season has been able to be played in its entirety has been huge for non-league clubs that suffered terribly due to a lack of income. Getting games on and crowds were long overdue for clubs that live week-by-week at the best of times, never mind during a pandemic.
Silverware
It’s what all football fans grow up dreaming of, lifting silverware in their club’s colours. While clubs at non-league level set their sights on winning promotion, either by winning the league or play-offs, cup competitions and the chance of a big day out are every bit as important.
While league seasons have been curtailed, cup competitions such as the FA Trophy and Vase have still been able to be played, with sides having their big day out at Wembley. Any fan or player wants to end the season with a football trophy cup in their possession that they can add to the cabinet.
County and league cups have been allowed to take place this season, and there is of course a plethora of youth competitions that take place at grassroots level. Additionally, as clubs have been able to play a full season, that means that end of season awards will be taking place, rewarding players’ performances throughout the campaign. Just another reason why this is the most exciting time of the year.
Never Taken for Granted
The madness of the last couple of years certainly means that we will never take football for granted, whether playing or spectating. Football can be cruel and there no doubt be those who may wish in the moment that the season was declared null and void, but when it is all said and done you wouldn’t have it any other way.
Whether your team is challenging for promotion, fighting for survival or is neither here nor there in mid-table, enjoy these last few weeks of the season. It’s good to have it back.
