Netherton's quadruple hopes end as season is called off

Sitting top of the Peterborough & District League Premier Division, already in two cup finals and in the quarter-finals of another, the club were chasing a quadruple when matches were suspended due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

The Football Association have now confirmed that the season is over for all divisions from Step 3 and below with records being expunged, ensuring there will be no promotion and no relegation between those leagues.

Netherton executive club chairman Steve Quinney released a statement today (Friday) in which he expressed his understandable disappointment at the decision while also reflecting on the bigger picture.

In his statement, Quinney said: “The controversial decision to cancel the season for all football clubs from Step 3-7 with immediate effect and expunge all results has denied Netherton United’s first team their chase for major trophy honours and an incredible quadruple trophy success - a repeat of their historic and unprecedented achievement just two seasons ago.

“The team are top of the PDFL Premier Division, have reached two cup finals - the Hinchingbrooke Cup (a rare feat for a Step 7 side and beating higher level opposition in every round) and the PFSDF Senior Cup - as well as reaching the quarter-final stage of the new PDFL League Cup and clear favourites to make that final too.

“Jon Harrison, his management team and all the players can feel desperately unlucky the season has ended this way however they can look back with great pride and great memories of the epic games and outstanding results they achieved especially against teams playing at a higher level.

“We sympathise too with other successful local sides who will also be denied the appropriate recognition their results deserve and who, like ourselves. will also be denied promotion and plans for a higher level of football.

“So we go again next season...

“Cancelling the season may have been inevitable at a time when our lives are preoccupied with the coronavirus crisis and the health, social and economic concerns are of the greatest priority and of course what really matters.

“In context, the wonderful game is insignificant at the present time.

“NUFC would like to take this opportunity to publicly extend our gratitude to NHS staff and all key workers and hope that everybody can stay safe and well through these strange and challenging times.”