Are There Or Aren't There Play-offs This Season?

[manchesterpaul 447]

On the BSPA's National League table page it clearly states under the table

 

"PLAY-OFF PICTURE Top four teams race off in two-legged semi-finals and final to decide championship. The top team having choice of opponents in semi-finals from the other three"

 

So that seems clear enough. However, in trying to seek confirmation that this is so i've searched the National League press releases archive and only likely references i see are;

 

dated '1 February 2011' titled '2011 National League'

In that it states the league will consist of nine teams and "And whoever finishes top of the league in 2011 will be handed silverware to recognise their achievement". Now does that mean there will not be any play-offs or simply that previous winners have never received a physical trophy!?

 

Next likely release to look for info is dated '8 February 2011' titled 'Fen Tigers Back On Track'

In that it states "MILDENHALL are set to open their doors to racing again in 2011 where they will be part of a ten-team National League." There is no mention of play-offs there either.

 

I don't know if i'm looking too hard and missing a press release in their archive, but i would have thought the first one above, or a very similar later title, would address the make-up of the competition. Unfortunately, what is adding to my confusion is a couple of searches of the club pages carry only the nine team league reference and silverware going to the top team.

 

I'm guilty of not following the National League so i don't know whether it is a 'given' that every season there are play-offs between the top four teams to determine the champions. Apologies for that lol. Then again any newcomer to the sport or journalist would not automatically know.

 

I really haven't got time to plough through every club's website looking for a reference or every archived BSPA press release that does not clearly refer to the make-up off the league.

 

Therefore, am i safe in accepting that their statement on their league table page is correct?, namely, "PLAY-OFF PICTURE Top four teams race off in two-legged semi-finals and final to decide championship. The top team having choice of opponents in semi-finals from the other three".

 

Sincere thanks in advance for clarification.

[Jayne 312]

Yes there are play offs in the NL.

Edited May 17, 2011 by Jayne

[manchesterpaul 447]

Yes there are play offs in the NL.

 

Thank you much appreciated.