By Molly Magennis
Updated:
Upfield Soccer Club will play in Football Victoria State League north-west 2 next season.
The club posted on their Facebook page yesterday that after finishing at the top of state league 3 north-west in Victoria 2021, the club will take up the state league 2 vacancy for the 2022 season.
“We would like to thank sincerely all members , sponsors , spectators, coaches , players, volunteers, councillors & politicians who made the club where it is now,” the post read.
The club will continue their plan to have a grand stand ready by next year at Gibb Reserve.
Upfield is part of a group of soccer clubs including Hume United and Greenvale United who are continuing to seek appropriate counsel as they seek promotion and relegation through the National Premier League and Football Victoria state league competitions.
As reported by Star Weekly, 40 clubs have joined forces as part of the United
Football Group which are fighting Football Victoria’s decision to cancel all 2021 competitions, without promotion or relegation.
The group presented three options to FV to consider; promotion and recognition of champions based on current standings or points per matches played method, with or without relegation; restructure of the leagues to achieve the desired effect of promotion/relegation, completed in line with the 2021 Football Australia Performance Gap Report; or align with FV principles and fixture the outstanding games between teams who have not played against each other to complete the season and award promotion and relegation.
Late last month, the group released a press release following a FV announcement in regards to next season.
Football Victoria said with the 2021 season being deemed incomplete, only men’s and women’s state league vacancies will be filled in 2022, with NPL Victoria optimal league structures to be considered from the 2023 season.
“Earlier today, Football Victoria issued a statement confirming it will proceed filling existing vacancies in men’s and women’s state league competitions,” United Football’s release said.
“This position in effect dismissed the range of options and discussions put forward from the United Football Group of Clubs.
“We are extremely disappointed and disillusioned with not only the decision but also the lack of leadership and courage to make a decision in the best interests of the game, despite recent indications that a restructure of leagues could have been a reasonable outcome.
“Having met earlier this evening, our club as a part of this group, is committed to now pursuing this matter and is continuing to seek appropriate counsel.”
Greenvale United and Hume United were also on top in state league 4 west and state league 2 north-west respectively.
