Town have confirmed that they have proposed “further consultation” between clubs and the EFL board on “an alternative play-off formula” for the 2019/20 League One campaign.

Tuesday’s EGM is expected to see the League One season brought to an early close. That being the case, the EFL’s preferred option is that positions, promotion and relegation are decided on unweighted points per game.

However, clubs were given until 2pm on Tuesday of this week to put forward amendments to the EFL's draft framework, with it emerging yesterday that Town were among those who did so.

“The club’s proposal, for League One only, is that there is further consultation between the [EFL] board and the clubs over an alternative play-off formula for 2019/20 and that any proposal that has the support of at least six other clubs should go to a vote,” Town confirmed in a lengthy piece on the official website outlining the current position and the process relating to Tuesday’s meeting.

Contrary to a report yesterday, we understand the Blues did not put forward a suggestion of the top 10 playing a tournament to end the season. Previously Peterborough proposed extending the play-offs to eight teams with the top two - Coventry and Rotherham - promoted automatically. Town are currently 10th but drop to 11th on a table based on unweighted points per game.

Meanwhile, Tranmere have proposed a points per game system which includes a margin of error, while Lincoln City are also arguing a tweak which would take into consideration any points deductions teams may have received.

Championship Barnsley are lobbying for relegation to be scrapped if the season isn’t played to its end, while Stevenage, bottom of League Two, have suggested an amendment which would see no one drop into the National League.

Tuesday will see clubs vote on the clubs’ proposed amendments and then the EFL’s framework for ending the season early and before finally deciding whether to curtail the current campaign at this point or play on. Fifty-one per cent of the vote will carry the day with it understood that 15 of the 23 clubs will opt to end the season early.

The Blues have reiterated that they will vote in favour of the season being played to an end: “It’s always been the club’s view that the season should be completed on the pitch.”

The EFL's preferred unweighted points per game solution is expected to ultimately be the outcome which is supported by clubs, in which case Coventry and Rotherham would be promoted automatically with Wycombe, Oxford, Portsmouth and Fleetwood in the play-offs, and Tranmere, Southend and Bolton relegated.

Town's final placing of 11th would be their lowest finish since they ended the 1952/53 campaign 16th in Division Three South back in Scott Duncan's time as manager.

Once the way forward for this season has been addressed the EFL will then look at the 2020/21 campaign with a September start - either behind closed doors or in front of a limited number of fans - currently believed to be the aim.

Town had already booked a July pre-season trip to Germany ahead of the usual August start but this has already been cancelled.

It’s likely any pre-season friendlies ahead of the new season will be played behind closed doors, probably at clubs’ training grounds.

Photo: TWTD

ITFCsince73 added 17:18 - Jun 5 So that's 13 teams who want the season finished because of cost of behind closed doors. Obviously the consultation a week after next, to plan for next season, won't include those 13, as any talk of next season behind closed doors isn't an option.
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Michael101 added 17:28 - Jun 5 *Once the way forward has been addressed*. Make that10 years time then.
2

ArnieM added 18:14 - Jun 5 what...is ...the ….point?
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Saxonblue74 added 19:12 - Jun 5 After all of this will come the "shake up" to sort the leagues after dozens of clubs go out of business.
2

Dolphinblue added 19:40 - Jun 5 Such a shame as with easy run in promotion was assured....
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Pencilpete added 19:45 - Jun 5 With our current form it would have taken until September to get enough points anyway
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ITFCsince73 added 19:52 - Jun 5 I've missed your way out predictions the 🐬. You will still say the same things if ITFC were in the National League south. You applaud failure as much as the owner.
0

Pencilpete added 19:54 - Jun 5 How about instead of trying to worm a back door entry into the play offs which would be a bloody embarrassment if we managed it, and even more of an embarrassment if we played in them given we only won 4 of our last 26 games and were getting turned over by the bang average sides in the league and got nowhere near beating anyone in the top 6 .... why dont we just accept the season was a disaster, write it off as such and actually get our fingers out of our backsides and put some kind of plan into action as to how we get our club out of the endless downward spiral we've been on since ...... oooohhh Marcus Evans took us over.

8

chepstowblue added 22:02 - Jun 5 Somebody can have my away passport tickets if this ever materialises. Football has no moral fibre and this decision would cement it.Thankfully I do,and wouldn't set foot in a ground to watch a team in 10th place with bottom 4 current form vying for promotion. It's so pathetic its laughable.
1

runningout added 23:21 - Jun 5 We have become so pathetic it's beyond shameful
6

karl1426 added 05:17 - Jun 6 It's a shame season after all! We are not even in the Top 10! Going up also no use if the owner doesn't want to spend! If the monies from last few season sales were put into good use, we won't even in this SORRY state!
0

WeWereZombies added 07:36 - Jun 6 I see the points made by Tranmere, Barnsley and Stevenage; and I think they should be repsected. Cancel the 2019/20 season and start it again in September (or later if not safe to do so then). If this does not fit in with what the Premier League want to do then it is up to the Premier League to find their own solutions.
1

OxtonBlue added 09:22 - Jun 6 I know it will sound like sour Grapes because of the position we find ourselves on but it doesn't feel right that a season in concluded by a computer simulation rather than on the pitch. I'm no fan of seeing the game played out behind closed doors either without fans there but at least it's still football. This all feels far too soon following the global pandemic changing lives as we know it bit the PLs wealth shines through again. How about they pay a % of their collective wealth to EFL clubs to enable them to fill their funding gap this season and enable the season to be completed on the pitch? Any alternative scenario lacks any sort of credibility

4

senduntd added 09:37 - Jun 6 Really ITFC since73 I don't believe anyone applauds failure least of all town supporters. Try to understand what Marcus has done for this club,we are very fortunate to have his backing. The date on your Log in makes me think you might be an old Southend supporter like me so this must be an improvement.
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:04 - Jun 6 and then have another consultation about the consultation before having the final consultation following a best of 3 vote , sounds like we are getting there folks .
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ITFCsince73 added 10:21 - Jun 6 Really Senduntd an old Southend supporter like you? Me thinks not. Sorry blue blood here. As was my farther and his before him. Although strange my Wife is from the Southend area, she has family Southend supporters. And there owner Ron Martin, makes Evans look like a saint, and saviour. Always thought you had a strange user name... S. end. Utd. (Broken down) Now I understand.

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Razor added 11:35 - Jun 6 Must be finished on the pitch by playing football----end of.
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ITFCsince73 added 11:42 - Jun 6 Yes Razor agree...but it won't. Fact.
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senduntd added 13:56 - Jun 6 Just a thought ITFCsince73 as many Southend supporters migrated to Ipswich in 1973 when Willis moved our office. Having watched Southend since 1946 it quite a revelation to watch Town play. You have no idea how wonderful it was to see decent football after division 3 south. Consequently I never criticise town, a great team with wonderful tradition.
3

ITFCsince73 added 14:15 - Jun 6 Senduntd. Agree. I never criticise Town. Only the ones responsible who have helped in its downfall since those dizzy heights of the 70,s.
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nysully added 15:55 - Jun 6 Each league In England should be played to completion and the obscene amount of money generated by the Premier League should be distributed down through the leagues to allow teams to play the season without losing money. How can you have promotion and relaxation at all of all 4 leagues do not complete their season?
4

runningout added 07:43 - Jun 7 Bit mad to have put up with the Poo we have for Donkeys years now.. Nothing will Stop my love for ITFC. Not sure what's the matter with me. Maybe I need a few tablets :-)
0

BettyBlue added 10:09 - Jun 8 if only itfc could put as much effort into playing football as they are trying to fix the play-offs
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