With The Football Association closing down all grassroots football for the foreseeable future in March 2020, Shropshire Junior Football League (SJFL) has complied with all aspects of their guidance with the coronavirus pandemic. This has obviously been of great disappointment to all member clubs, managers, coaches and players alike.  Along with the fixture programme this has also meant the cancellation of six Charity Cup Festivals, the Charity Cup finals at Market Drayton Town FC – a partnership event with The FA Heads Up Campaign to raise awareness  to mental health issues in young people, along with the League and Consolation Cup Finals at Ludlow Stadium and the  Charity Cup and U16 cup finals at The New Saints FC.

I can now confirm that the SJFL Competition for season 2019-20 is null and void and there will be no ‘Determining Championships’. This is the first time that such a decision has had to be made since the league was formed in 1974, with the exception of Foot and Mouth in 2001 when the match programme was null and void but the  league was able to complete its cup competitions.  In reaching this decision the league has given an undertaking to Shropshire FA that when grassroots football reopens the league will provide financial assistance and assurances to all member clubs for the ensuing season (2020/21).

These will require further discussion by league management, but I can outline these in the attached statement: please read here.

Mike Hames
Chairman
Shropshire Junior Football league

STOP PRESS:

The FA have today announced a £15 discount on team affiliation for season 2020/21 based on number of teams affiliated in 2019/20 and Insurers will also be offering a 16% discount.  Financial assistance will also be given to clubs who have taken ‘Asset Transfer’ of grounds/pitches. Mandatory changes to SCORY: All player registration to be completed on WGS and the size of football for U10s (min-soccer) is now size.3. (More details to follow).

For the latest information on the impact of Coronavirus on football in Shropshire please also follow the link to Shropshire FA at:

CORONAVIRUS LATEST

www.shropshirefa.com/news/2020/mar/17/coronavirus-latest