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League Statement

TO ALL CLUBS:
The Board of the Toolstation Western League are disappointed to confirm that talks between
the South West Peninsula League and the Football Association, concerning the creation of
the new Western Peninsula League, have now ended. All Western League Clubs must
understand that this means next season’s Step 5 competition will continue across the current
geographical footprint, from Cornwall to South Gloucestershire.
We had hoped that the intervention of the Football Association, under the leadership of an
independent chairperson, would have led to further talks on February 22nd, but todays
statement makes it clear that not only have the South West Peninsula League withdrawn
from this process, the FA have no desire to engage in proactively addressing the economic
challenges our Clubs currently face with travel. The breakdown in negotiations between the
two leagues came about entirely through a differing philosophy on how administration
should be handled, how many roles it was appropriate for one individual to fulfil and how
many individuals were genuinely interested in assuming responsible functions within the
new structure. Mistakes may well have been made on both sides, but the Board of the
Western League wish to place on record our unerring commitment to representing the best
interest of our Clubs and football across the South West.
Whilst we had been consistent in our commitment to the merger project, the FA had
requested an alternative solution to managing the challenges posed by long distance travel.
The Board proposed a plan to split the Premier Division into two geographical areas as an
interim measure for 2023/24 season, in order to reduce Clubs travel. At the same time, we
were told that the South West Peninsula League had submitted a proposal to create their
own Step 5 division, across the southern region originally planned for the Western Peninsula
League. Both proposals have been rejected by the FA.
In the short term, the Board remain resolute in our belief that Clubs competing in the
Western League Premier Division must have their travel requirements addressed before next
season and we recognise the financial concern that the current uncertainty will inevitably
cause. The Board welcome the FA’s proposal to consult Clubs on the future of Step 5 and 6
football in the South West and with this in mind the Western League will be conducting our
own engagement exercise to ensure that all options are properly considered.
Addressing the issue of The FA Leagues Committee’s “huge disappointment in the
breakdown of the relationship between the two Leagues and individuals thereof”, the
Western League Board are in no need of reminding that it is the Clubs we represent that will
feel the greatest impact of this outcome. The Board of the Western League refute that they
are culpable for the breakdown of negotiations.
In the short term, the League will issue a short survey to all our clubs to ascertain their views
and this will be followed by a meeting with all our clubs.