Matty Lovatt keen to salute a campaign of progress
Matty Lovatt is refusing to let the FA’s decision to null and void the non-league season from step three down detract from a superb campaign at Dudley Town.
The Robins were sitting third in the West Midlands League Premier Division and on course for promotion to the Midland League, but those hopes were dashed by the FA’s call to expunge all results after the action had been ended by the coronavirus outbreak.
“As a club we are obviously disappointed and I feel sorry for the directors, players and fans,” said Lovatt.
“Perhaps, given that 70 per cent of the season has been played, the FA could have gone on average points per game. But the decision has been made and we have to regroup and get ready to go again next season.
“But I won’t let it detract from what has been a great season. The club has progressed massively and hopefully we can keep the players and do well next season.
“The FA can take away the league table, but they can’t take away the special memories we have created this season.
“And there is something far more important than football at the moment.
“Thousands of people are being touched by coronavirus. They either know people who are ill or have friends and relatives working for the NHS.”
Wolverhampton Casuals boss Dean Gill is also trying to come to terms with the decision.
Gill, had guided Cassies to fourth in the Premier Division table conceding just 10 league goals in the process.
“It’s a hard decision to take,” he said. “The points per game way is not perfect, but I think that would have been the way to go.
“Maybe they could have just had promotion and no relegation, then balanced things out at the end of next season.
“It’s tough, but we have just got pick ourselves up and see where we go from here.”
Ian Rowe is ready to turn his attention to next season after seeing Sporting Khalsa’s promotion dreams end.
Khalsa were sitting second in the Midland League, but the FA’s decision will see them plying their trade at the same level next term.
“I’m not happy with the decision, but as I understand it the leagues had a vote on how the season should be finished and this is the way they went,” said Rowe. “We have to accept that decision, move on and get ready to have a good crack at it again next season.
“At the end of the day there are more important things than football. Keeping people safe from the coronavirus should be the main concern at the moment.”
