Why AFC Portchester will propose 2021/22 Wessex League season starts in July

The Wessex League Premier Division club believe beginning the campaign earlier in the summer would benefit clubs at 'non-elite' level.

It's not the first time Portchester have been keen for the start to be brought forward, although chairman Paul Kelly's idea received a 'bit of a knockback' when he first suggested it a few years ago.

But the Royals feel kicking off 2021-22 in July might appeal to more clubs amid the pandemic.

At present, teams at 'non-elite' level across England are still awaiting a decision on how seasons will be completed with the current suspension.

A second successive 'null and void' verdict looks the most likely outcome.

And if that was the case, Kelly said starting competitive football earlier than usual could work in clubs' favour.

'We’re going to put a proposal in that they start the season in July,' he revealed.

‘It would give more games earlier on in the season - you can play a lot more midweek games when the pitches are dry and conditions are better.

‘If you’ve got to have a few weeks off in the winter through bad weather, at least you’ve played a lot of the games early doors.

‘You will get a lot more people out, a lot more families with their kids coming along and enjoying it as opposed to a bitterly cold Tuesday night or Saturday afternoon at Wicor Rec when it’s not ideal.

‘This was something I proposed, but it got a bit of a knockback.

‘If the weather’s decent, why don’t they give us midweek games early doors?

‘It would give the opportunity of finishing the season earlier rather than April or whenever they intend to finish.'

Kelly has stated his preference would be for the current Wessex League campaign - paused since mid-December - to be declared 'null and void' for a second successive season.