Doncaster hockey ladies spared relegation from National League

The Town FIeld club occupied the second relegation spot in Conference North – the third tier of the national game – when the season was ended prematurely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Doncaster’s final fixture, a relegation decider at home to Alderley Edge, went unplayed.

However, England Hockey released a statement last week detailing their decisions on the outcome of the 2019/20 season – and there was good news for Doncaster after it was decided only one team would be relegated from Conference North.

The governing body said in a statement “it was not appropriate to declare the season null and void” and instead ruled which sides gained promotion and relegation, noting also that teams were “not to be disadvantaged by games that were not played”.

The statement added: “Ultimately, decisions have been based on what has happened in 85 out of 90 games in a Division, not what might happen in five out of 90 games.

“A number of promotion and relegation issues were ordinarily resolved prior to the last round of matches not being played.

“England Hockey, whilst recognising that not all parties will agree with the rulings, believes it has followed a robust process to reach the most appropriate outcomes that means teams and leagues can start planning for a resumption of our great sport which we of course all hope will be later this year.”

The 2020/21 season is scheduled to start in late September.