Good evening to all Club Members
I am just forwarding to you all a message received from the League Secretary on the situation regarding the playing of hockey for the remainder of the season.
If you are a member of the Management Committee you will already have seen this message. Club members will also be receiving an e-mail from me.
League Committee Statement 28th January 2021
As previously noted the League Committee has now considered the prospects for the remaining 5 weeks of the 2020/21 season after 13th February. In the light of the COVID-19 situation and UK Government measures, the Committee believes that there is no realistic prospect of hockey prior to the end of March.
All Men’s Midlands League fixtures until the end of the season are therefore cancelled.
The Committee considers that there have been insufficient games to make a meaningful League programme.
The Committee therefore declares the 2020/21 League season null and void.
There will be no promotion or relegation.
England Hockey is planning to increase the number of teams in the EHL in 2021/22.
The Committee will decide at a later date a process to identify two teams from Tier 1 Midlands Premier
as the new entries to the EHL from the Midlands. Our guiding principle will be, if at all possible,
to identify those two teams from T1 MP via the field of play.
Nick Haynes
Honorary Secretary MRHA Men’s League
28th January 2021
For our club it is a message of mixed blessings. The first team will be feeling a mixture of disappointment and frustration as they are left unbeaten and equal top of the league.
For the second team it will provide an opportunity to reflect on their start to the season, with the obvious potential shown in the games played and with a chance to get going again in the new season.
It remains to be seen what the arrangements will be for the league set up for the new season, hopefully with more hockey able to be played.
For now, it remains the wish for you all to stay safe and for it to be not too long before the opportunity for your jab comes along.
Regards
Pete
Club Secretary