It is with deep disappointment that the League have been notified by Lincoln City Football Club that they will no longer be able to stage any of our four Cup Finals this year. This is because the Club are potentially involved in the EFL Division Two play-off games which begin on Saturday 12th May.
The teams involved in this years finals have all been informed of this news which was received by the League following Lincoln City’s marvelous win at Coventry City on Tuesday 24th April.
The League has already received a number of queries from participants asking the reasoning behind this decision as they have pointed out that all finals are scheduled to be played after 12th May.
It must be stressed that this decision is not a decision of the League, it is the decision of the hosts of the ground and facilities, and that must be understood and respected. To be totally fair to all at Lincoln City their energies and preparations must now go into securing the play-off place which is craved by all supporters of the Club. Should they be successful in their efforts they may finish in any of the play off positions which means that their destiny will not be known until next Saturday which is just over a week before our first Cup final is due to be played. With the planning and organising associated with hosting such an event that would not leave sufficient time for the cup final scheduled for 15th May, and Lincoln City may well find themselves involved in a home game on either Thursday or Friday 17th or 18th May. It is simply all too tight to call and the League is appreciative of that.
It is of paramount importance to the League that the published dates of our Cup Finals do not alter as it is appreciated that players and Club Officials will have planned around them. With this in mind the League has secured the location of Lincoln Moorlands Football Club, Newark Road, Lincoln, in order to play each of its four Cup Finals on the same dates as has been previously advertised, thereby causing no inconvenience to any of the Clubs or Match Officials involved.
The League is most grateful to Lincoln Moorlands Football Club for their offer of assistance with this situation and I am certain that all involved will enjoy the experience of their final.
On behalf of the League and all of its participants I send my very best wishes to Lincoln City Football Club for their vital game against Yeovil on Saturday and hope to be amongst those cheering a positive result before looking forward to the journey into, and hopefully via, the playoffs to Wembley again.
League Secretary