Barton Town Old Boys manager Dave Anderson supports the call for a second promotion spot in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
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Barton Town Old Boys manager Dave Anderson is hoping that a lot of noise will help persuade the FA to consider opening up a second promotion spot in the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division.
Anderson, who led Barton to the runners-up spot last season, added his name to the list of people calling for change in the NCEL after reading Paul Marshall and Peter Smurthwaite’s comments in the last seven days.
He believes another relegation spot across all step four leagues would be a solution so that either a second automatic promotion can be opened up or a play-offs system can be created.
Anderson told Non League Yorkshire: “I totally and utterly agree with them (Paul Marshall and Peter Smurthwaite).
“From my point of view I think it’s right. The frustrating thing for us last season that we were in a title race and when you’re looking for teams to do you favours.
“I’m not going to name names, but we went into certain games and had won it by half-time.
“I do understand that a lot of teams come Christmas, if they’re not going to win anything they just pull things because they’re not going to go anyway.
“With the way the league is with one up, teams were going under-strength (at the end of the season) so the league needs two up or at least a play-offs system.
“It would keep teams involved and there is the revenue side to it as well.
“Play-offs bring big games, big crowds like the Evo Stik where some of the crowds for those games are 400, 500, 600.
“The other thing is that if there is play-offs, the top ten or 14 teams would still think they have a chance of getting into the play-offs.
“It would make the league exciting.”
Anderson, though, has the same view as Mr Smurthwaite in that such a landmark decision to create a second promotion spot is unlikely.
He added: “We’ve heard stories about teams actually wanting to come down
“They want to get relegated for financial reasons so if that’s the case, why don’t they promote more teams who actually do want to go up.
“There’s probably five or six teams who think they could go forward and it would strengthen the Evo Stik League.
“I can’t see it happening.
“People have been on about it for years and there are progressive clubs saying it.
“But if enough people shout then hopefully people will listen.”