As mentioned
elsewhere in this blog, when they come to write the history of the summer of 2009 in
non league football, it will be littered with tales of clubs dicing with death. Some survived, some didn't. Only time will tell if
Farsley Celtic will add their names to the list of the fortunate or the not-so-fortunate. The
Blue Square North club were playing with the big boys the Conference only two years ago, following a rush of promotions. And now, in a tale that is all too familiar, they are faced with the very real possibility that those memories will be some of their last.
How is this right? How can a structure exist which
rewards those at the top so richly, and yet abandons those at the bottom or even in the middle in Farsley Celtic's case) so readily? Non league football has many shortcomings, no doubt. But hopes and aspirations should not be penalised. Farsley Celtic, like many before them, and, inevitably, many to follow, are truly only guilty of trying to better themselves. Yes, with hindsight, they could have managed things better. But when fortune hands you a set of circumstances upon which to improve your lot, be it a decent young manager, a lottery windfall or a striker that fell through the net, what else can a club be expected to do but seek to capitalise as best they can. In Farsley's case the gamble didn't pay off, and of course there should ramifications for this. But the total eradication of the club is one hell of a stiff penalty to pay.
