No complaints as virus halts season and Hucknall Town promotion hopes

Despite the coronavirus pandemic ending Hucknall Town's promotion bid, Yellows boss Andy Graves said he had no complaints and it was all about the bigger picture.
Hucknall Town manager, Andy Graves.Hucknall Town manager, Andy Graves.
Hucknall Town manager, Andy Graves.

The season for leagues below National League level was abruptly ended by the FA this week as the world fights the virus, but some clubs have threatened legal action.

“I can understand why people are upset, but there is a bigger picture overall,” said Graves.

“We have had that disappointment before ourselves when we have been denied promotion.

“Obviously it was always going to upset some wasn't it? It's disappointing for those who were in a position.

“But apart from those who were chasing promotion and unable to be caught, I don't really think anyone else can really complain.

“If they were in a position where they had to play more games and could still be caught, they could not guarantee they were going to go up anyway.”

Hucknall were still in a position to challenge but he admitted: “Likewise, anyone similar to ourselves who could catch two teams in a promotion place, we could not guarantee we could catch them.

“It's a tough one either way. If it had been settled on points per game there would still have been people moaning about that too.

“To be perfectly honest I think we'd have finished fifth no matter what way they finished the season.

“The only was we'd have known any different is if all the games had been played properly. No one will ever know that now.

“Also I would imagine one or two teams might have budgeted for having a good go at it last season.

“They will be disappointed as most of that money will have been spent now and will they get it again for next season?”

On the clubs taking legal action over their 'non-promotion', he added: “It's up to them if they have got the money to do it isn't it?

“I don't think it will come off for them to be honest and I think they would save money if they would just take it on the chin like everyone else.

“Teams have been in a position where they have been denied it before.”

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