Fylde RFC coach Warren Spragg offers a plan to save the season but admits hopes of play are fading

Head coach Warren Spragg says it may still be possible for the National Leagues to modify their plans and stage some sort of competition at the back end of the season, though he admits hopes are receding.

Since the league campaign was scrapped in November, plans have been drawn up to salvage the season for National League One and Two clubs by running a one-off competition in which regionalised group games would pave the way for a national knockout.

The competition was earmarked to begin next month, Fylde sharing a group with Caldy and Sale FC of National One and with Chester and Sedgley Park from their own league, National Two North.

Playing each club at home and away would have meant eight groups games before the knockout stages.

But with lockdown expected to last at least until mid-February, the prospects of the competition getting under way as planned next month seem highly remote.

However, Fylde boss Spragg believes all hope is not yet lost and suggested a variation on the plans.

He told The Gazette: “The idea is for us to play eight games in a regionalised group followed by a national play-off.

“I don’t know when we will be able to start but my positive outlook is that we could just play the group games as a mini-league with no play-offs.

“To do that, we wouldn’t need to start until March or even April. It would at least give the players some rugby to look forward to this season.

“There would be no prize or grand finale, just some rugby for the guys to play before next season.

“But maybe even that is being too optimistic now. Maybe it won’t be too long before everyone says there is no point trying to stage competitive rugby this season.

“Instead we could just organise some friendlies in the local area when we are allowed to play. It’s starting to feel as though that’s the only way for this season.”

Even before lockdown, the proposed groups presented problems for teams travelling between areas in the coronavirus tiering system. All of Fylde’s eight group games would have entailed a team travelling into or out of Lancashire.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here