HRR v East Riding Rangers 14Jan23

Good afternoon everyone.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year and are over all the over indulgences that it brings.

Now it’s time to indulge in your football fix with me welcoming you all to Haworth Park for the 2023 season run in.

I’d like to wish a warm welcome to the supporters, players and management team of East Riding Rangers, the match official and also to our loyal supporters.

We’ll be looking to start the year positively with a solid and commanding performance against a physical and well drilled side.

I wasn’t at the return fixture earlier in the season, but I got a very damning match report that we simply weren’t at the races and were out performed all over the pitch. We’ll be doing our utmost to right those wrongs and give our brilliant supporters something to cheer about and send them home happy.

We’ll be going into the game looking to build on our recent performances and results with us being three wins out of three games played since our last defeat to Scullies.

As I’ve said before, football is a confidence game and the last results have given the squad a lift and has allowed us to play some very good football at times.

We know we’ll need to be at our best come kick off at 2pm.

We had another good session in training on Wednesday and although we have a couple missing through illness and injury, I’m confident of another positive result come 3.45pm.

I hope you all enjoy the game today. Please make use of the full facilities and I look forward to hearing you cheer the lads on.

Thank you for your continued support.

Burkey

HRR Development Squad secure MOTM sponsor

Hall Road Rangers Development Squad are delighted to announce that Sweet Shack are their MOTM sponsor for the foreseeable. They’re a family run business that provide an excellent variety of sweets whether it’s old school, American, Japanese or Australian!

Reader to step down as HRR Chairman

HRR Chairman Dave Reader has announced his intention to step down from his role and step away from the club at the end of this season.

Dave provided the following statement:

“After a long thought and chats with family, I’ve decided to step down and away from Hall Road and Haworth Park at the end of the season. I feel the journey has been incredible and I’ve met a lot of friends through football. These will remain great future friends.

The job of Chairman has become too much and I’ve decided that I need to make a decision to step away to ensure my spare time is not Haworth and Hall Road only. My health and my family are more important.

I want to thank everyone for listening and helping in keeping Hall Road a name that people know and believe in, but I think I’ve helped as much as I can in the capacity whilst in charge. I’m happy to have a chat with anyone and will be on the end of a phone if you need me to answer any questions.

We have the next few months together and will continue to build where I can and support you all. I’ll be stepping down from all active roles in May 2023.”

HRR Ladies reach County Cup Semi-Finals

Hall Road Rangers Ladies have progressed to the Semi-Finals of the County Cup after a 1-2 victory against Hull United Ladies Reserves. Leelee Hanson and Tiff Hamlett both got on the scoresheet for Rangers. The team are now just one game away from playing at the MKM Stadium!

HRR U9s looking for new striker

Hall Road Rangers U9s are currently looking for a new striker to join their squad. If your child is interested, please contact the club on social media (Hall Road Rangers Official/@HRRFC).

AWAY CUP DRAW for Rangers

Please note that our East Riding FA Senior Cup Quarter-Final away tie against Bridlington Town will now take place on Wednesday 15th February and it’s a 7:45pm kick-off.

NEW TEAM FOR GIRLS U11S

We are delighted to introduce a new Hall Road Rangers U11’s Girls team to Haworth Park, commencing in the New Year. We are looking for a couple of new players to join our team.

If you know of a girl in school year 5 or 6 and aged 10 or 11, we’d like to hear from you.

The team currently train between 7pm and 8pm on a Wednesday evening and all new players are welcome to attend and give it a try for FREE.

Hall Road Rangers U11 girls are a friendly bunch of girls who are supported by two qualified FA football coaches with over 13 years coaching experience between them.

The team plays their home games at Haworth Park, Hull, HU6 7DY.

For further information please message our page or call 07719716167.

East riding rangers

East Riding Rangers

Cottingham Sports Pavilion

Northgate

Cottingham HU16 5QW

Fixtures and results 2022/2023

20/08/22 14:00 Hedon Rangers FC 3 - 4 East Riding Rangers 23/08/22 18:30 East Riding Rangers 2 - 4 Sculcoates Amateurs 27/08/22 14:00 East Riding Rangers 5 - 1 Cherry Burton F.C 03/09/22 14:00 East Riding Rangers 1 - 1 Hessle Rangers 17/09/22 14:00 East Riding Rangers 6 - 0 LIV Supplies 24/09/22 14:00 East Riding Rangers 3 - 1 St Marys AFC 01/10/22 14:00 Cherry Burton F.C 4 - 2 East Riding Rangers 15/10/22 14:00 South Cave United 4 - 0 East Riding Rangers 22/10/22 14:00 St Marys AFC 1 - 2 East Riding Rangers 29/10/22 14:00 Sculcoates Amateurs 1 - 2 East Riding Rangers 05/11/22 14:00 East Riding Rangers 5 - 2 Hall Road Rangers 12/11/22 14:00 LIV Supplies 2 - 2 (Pens 2-4) East Riding Rangers HPL Senior Cup (Sponsored by W.Ridley & Co) 19/11/22 14:00 East Riding Rangers 3 - 2 Hornsea Town Whiteheads Fish and Chip Cup 26/11/22 14:00 East Riding Rangers 0 - 1 Hull United AFC 10/12/22 14:00 Hessle Rangers 1 - 4 East Riding Rangers 07/01/23 14:00 East Riding Rangers 0 - 2 Hornsea Town

L 14/01/23 14:00 Hall Road Rangers VS East Riding Rangers

L 21/01/23 14:00 East Riding Rangers VS Reckitts

L 28/01/23 14:00 East Riding Rangers VS Hedon Rangers

CC 04/02/23 14:00 East Riding Rangers VS Hull City U23 Reserves

Cup 11/02/23 14:00 East Riding Rangers VS South Cave United Whiteheads Fish and Chip Cup

L 18/02/23 14:00 Hull United VS East Riding Rangers

L 25/02/23 14:00 East Riding Rangers VS South Cave United

L 04/03/23 14:00 East Riding Rangers VS Pocklington Town

L 11/03/23 14:00 Hessle Sporting Club VS East Riding Rangers

L 01/04/23 14:00 Pocklington Town VS East Riding Rangers

L 08/04/23 14:00 East Riding Rangers VS Hessle Sporting Club

Sculcoates Amateurs 4

Hall

Road Rangers 1

Saturday, 26th November 2022 Humber Premier League

Hall Road Rangers had another frustrating and a disappointing Saturday afternoon as they lost 4-1 against Sculcoates Amateurs at St Mary’s College.

It was a sloppy start from Rangers as they went 1-0 down inside the first minute of the game. Ben Flowerdew put the ball in the back of the net to give Scullies the lead.

Paul Wray got Rangers back on level terms in the fourth minute when he slotted the ball home past Scullies keeper Joe Piercy. However, the hosts restored their lead in the 18th minute courtesy of a Reece Shipley effort.

A well worked attacking move from Scullies resulted in Flowerdew getting his second goal of the game in the 38th minute. In the 54th minute, Scullies gave themselves a three goal lead as Shipley secured his second goal of the game.

This defeat leaves Rangers sitting in eighth place in the Humber Premier League Premier Division table.

After the game, Rangers boss Chris Burke said:

“Today, you just have to take it on the chin. We were beaten by the better side.”

Hall Road Rangers: Emmerson, Bullement, Pulford, Murray, Chaffer, Andrew (C), R. Hall (Loughton 61’), Wray, Harrison (Miller 61’), Shepard (Salter 55’), Oliver

“Scullies have got some good, young lads that have obviously been together for a while. They’ve come up through the ranks and fair play to them. They’ve played some very good football today.”

“There’s times when we’ve just been too slow to react and not won second balls. We lacked that bit of quality in the final pass, but the lads kept going up until the 90th minute.”

“We just couldn’t seem to break Scullies down. They’re a good, young and organised side who are well drilled.”

“It’s not an excuse, but we had a couple of regulars missing today which maybe affected the way we had to set up. We made a bit of a tweak at half-time and kind of got back in the game. The goal just after half-time took the wind out of us and it was a bit of an uphill task.”

“We’ll dust ourselves down and go again on Wednesday getting the lads into training. Hopefully, we’ll have the lads that are missing back on Saturday.”

St Mary’s AFC 0 Hall Road Rangers 4

Saturday, 10th December 2022 Humber Premier League

Hall Road Rangers picked up a second successive league victory by winning 0-4 against St Mary’s AFC at Hull University.

Tom Iversen came close to putting Rangers in front in the 10th minute when his shot was saved. Immediately after this, Luke Bullement was denied as his effort was tipped away.

St Mary’s posed some danger to the Hall Road goal in the 17th minute when a quick attacking move resulted in a shot going just wide. Ten minutes later, Bullement had another shot saved after he connected with Iversen’s cut back.

In the 33rd minute, a Lewis Andrew free-kick picked out Jordan Hall who sent his header just wide. Meanwhile, the hosts forced Haydn Withill to produce a very good save in the 40th minute and the subsequent rebound was put wide.

Rangers took the lead right before the break. Andrew produced an excellent delivery and Hall got on the end of it to produce a bullet header that flew into the back of the net.

Inside the first few minutes of the second half, Andrew almost doubled Hall Road’s lead with a long range effort which he flashed wide. Rangers made it 0-2 in the 51st minute through Dave Harrison’s fifth goal of the season as he slotted home from Andrew’s pass in what was a Netherlands inspired smart free-kick routine.

Andrew went close once again to getting on the scoresheet in the 65th minute with a free-kick which was tipped onto the bar. Hall bagged his second goal of the game, two minutes later, with another fine header after connecting with an Andrew set piece delivery.

Subs Not Used: Davies, Miller

In the 77th minute, Rangers got their fourth goal. A pass from Andrew created an opportunity for Bullement to strike and his drilled effort nestled in the St Mary’s net as he bagged his fourth goal of the campaign.

This win leaves Rangers just one point adrift of the top five. However, they’ve played more games than the sides around them in the Humber Premier League Premier Division table.

MOTM- Lewis Andrew sponsored by Tony Hardy/ Hop & Vine and Jordan Hall sponso

Rangers boss Chris Burke was pleased to pick up another three points:

“Coming into the game, we were unsure what to expect with St Mary’s positive result last week. Looking to follow up our own positive result and performance, we knew we’d have to be at our best.

The first half was a positive affair for us as we dominated possession, but lacked the extra bit of quality required in the final third. We took the lead with a well worked goal, but couldn’t add to it before half-time. This was due to an inspired performance from the St Mary’s keeper who pulled off numerous impressive saves.

I had a stern chat with the lads at half-time and said that if we upped the work rate and applied the quality I know we have in the side then we’d add to our goal tally. Sure enough, we added a further three goals. More importantly for the lads, we kept a well deserved clean sheet.

It was a nice way to finish off the year and we now have the luxury of an extended break. However, the lads will still be ticking over and we’ll look to continue the positive results come the New Year.

Hall Road Rangers: Withill, J. Hall, Murray, Chaffer, Waud (Pulford 68’), Andrew (C), Wray, Shepard, Bullement (Loughton 83’), Harrison (Salter 78’), Iversen.

Hall Road Rangers 5 Hessle Sporting Club 3

Saturday, 3rd December 2022 Humber Premier League

Hall Road Rangers secured a league double over Hessle Sporting Club by claiming a 5-3 victory at Haworth Park

There was a moment of danger for Rangers inside the first minute as Liam Taylor tipped away a Hessle Sporting free-kick. Seven minutes later, Rangers created a glorious chance to take the lead as Dave Harrison teed up Tom Iversen who put his effort wide.

Paul Wray thought he gave Rangers the lead in the 13th minute, but his effort was ruled out by the referee. However, Rangers did take the lead in the 15th minute. Harrison ran through on goal and coolly slotted the ball into the Hessle Sporting net to get his third goal of the season.

In the 20th minute, it looked like Rangers had doubled their lead. Tom Oliver produced a great finish, but the referee chalked off the goal. Hessle Sporting subsequently equalised in the 29th minute through a Sam Tucker effort. Tucker struck again in the 42nd minute to put the visitors in front.

Tom Iversen got Rangers back on level terms in the 48th minute. After some pinball in the Hessle Sporting box, Iversen was on hand to poke the ball home and get on the scoresheet against his former club. Tucker secured his hat-trick in the 53rd minute and restored Hessle Sporting’s lead.

Despite this setback, Rangers fought back and made it 3-3 in the 56th minute. Some great footwork from Harrison opened up an opportunity for himself to shoot and he bagged his second goal of the game. It became 4-3 in

the 71st minute when Wray pounced on a loose ball and bundled it over the line.

Rangers increased their lead and made things slightly more comfortable for themselves in the 75th minute. An excellent cross from Harrison picked out Tommy Waud who headed the ball home to secure his first goal of the season.

This victory has moved Rangers back up to sixth place in the Humber Premier League Premier Division table.

Rangers manager Chris Burke was delighted with his side’s second half performance:

“To be fair, it was actually a really, really enjoyable game to be a part of. It’s what I call a typical, good old fashioned Humber Premier game. It’s a cold winter’s day down here at Haworth, the rain decided to come in, the pitch was going to cut up and it was two teams going at it like they should do.”

“We made a couple of changes to the way we play and set up a little bit differently. I had a good word with the lads and told them if they stick to the principles and do what’s asked of them properly then we’d get the result.”

“We had two goals chalked off for offside which as everybody would say is dubious but they were, to me, two very good goals that we scored that were chalked off. Obviously, it’s hard without a linesman so you have to take it on the chin.”

“Going in at 1-2, we had a good chat at halftime. I just said to the lads stick to what

Hall Road Rangers: Taylor, Murray, J. Hall, Chaffer, Bullement (Davies 90’), Andrew (C), Harrison, Shepard, Wray (Loughton 82’), Oliver, Iversen (Waud 59’).

you’ve been asked, go about your work, roll up your sleeves, dig in and you’ll get your just rewards.”

“We’ve come out in the second half and basically played them off the park. It wasn’t pretty at times, but it was never going to be on a day like today.”

“It’s nice personally for me to get that monkey off my back in getting my first three points of being solely in charge. It’s also nice for the lads to stop the rot and obviously for the club as well.”

We move on next week to St Mary’s which’ll probably be another tough game.”

- Dave Harrison sponsored by LA’S Community Care

RESULTS 2022-2023

Date Comp Opposition K/O/ScoreAtt Pts 1 2 3 4 5 6 25Aug22 HPL LIVSUPPLIES W1-0 3 Withill Williams Murray Pulford Chaffer Andrew 28Aug22 HPL PocklingtonTown W4-2 6 Taylor Williams Murray Pulford Miller Andrew 03Sep22 HPL HedonRangers L1-2 6 Withill Williams Murry Pulford Chaffer* Andrew 06Sep22 Cup BeverleyTownReserves W6-1 - Withill Williams Pulford(1) JHall Chaffer Andrew 17Sep22 HPL SouthCaveUnited L1-4 6 Withill Williams# Pulford JHall Chaffer Andew 24Sep22 HPL HessleSportingClub W3-2 9 Withill Waud Pulford Murray Chaffer Andrew 01Oct22 HPL HULLUNITED W1-0 12 Withill Waud Pulford# Murray Miller* Andrew 08Oct22 HPL HEDONRANGERS L0-1 12 Withill Waud Murray Sallis Miller Andrew 15Oct22 HPL HornseaTown D2-2 13 Withill Waud Pulford Sallis Chaffer Andrew 22Oct22 HPL HESSLERANGERS D2-2 14 Douglas Waud JHall Chaffer Miller Andrew 29Oct22 HPL STMARY’SAFC W3-1 17 Douglas Wray Pulford JHall Chaffer Andrew 05Nov22 HPL EastRidingRangers L2-5 17 Taylor Wray* Pulford JHall Chaffer+ Andrew 15Nov22 Cup NorthFerriby W3-1 - Withill Pulford JHall Murray Chaffer Andrew 19Nov22 HPL SOUTHCAVEUNITED L0-1 17 Withill Waud# Murray JHall Chaffer Adnrew 26Nov22 HPL SculcoatesAmateurs L1-4 17 Emmerson Bullement Pulford Murray Chaffer Andrew 03Dec22 HPL HESSLESPORTINGCLUB W5-3 20 Taylor Murray JHall Chaffer Bullement+ Andrwe 10Dec22 HPL StMary’sAFC W4-0 23 Withill JHall(2) Murray Chaffer Waud# Andrew 07Jan23 HPL ReckittsAFC W3-1 26 Withill Pulford+ Murray JHall Bullement Andrew 14Jan23 HPL EASTRIDINGRANGERS 2pm 21Jan23 HPL HullUnited 2pm 28Jan23 HPL SCULCOATESAMATEURS 2pm 11Feb23 HPL RECKITTSAFC 2pm 15Feb23 ERSCQFBridlingtonTown 7:45pm 25Feb23 HPL CHERRYBURTON 2pm 11Mar23 HPL POCKLINGTONTOWN 2pm 01Apr23 HPL CherryBurton 2pm 08Apr23 HPL HORNSEATOWN 2pm 15Apr23 HPL LIVSupplies 2pm

HPL-HumberPermierLeague

Cup-WhiteheadsFishandChipCup ERSC=EastRidingFASeniorCup

# first substitution * second substitution + third substitution number in brackets after names denote goal scorers ^ own goal (in Hall Road’s favour)

7 8 9 10 11

Substitutes

Andrew RHall Bullement Harrison# Oliver+ O’Malley(1)* Waud#,Loughton*,Miller+,Taylor,Sallis

Andrew RHall Bullement(1)Spinks(1)+ Robinson(2)*Harrison# Howe#,Sidwell*,Sallis+,Withill,Wolstenholme

Andrew RHall Waud Bullement(1)+Robinson O’Malley# Oliver#,Miller*,Iversen+,Emmerson,JHall

Andrew RHall+ Iversen(1)* Spinks(2) Miller# Oliver(2) Bullement#,Waud*,O’Malley+,McKinney,Muray

Andew Loughton* Waud Iversen+ Salter(1) Robinson Miller#,O’Malley*,Shepard+,Emmerson

Andrew Shepard# Bullement* Spinks(2) Salter+ O’Malley Iversen#,Loughton(1)*,Harrison+,Emmerson,Sallis

Andrew Harrison Bullement Spinks Salter O’Malley(1)+ Loughton#,Wray*,Oliver+,Iversen,Sallis

Andrew Loughton* Bullement Iversen Salter# Oliver O’Malley#,Harrison*,Emmerson,Chaffer

Andrew Wray# Bullement Harrison(1)Salter(1) O’Malley* Loughton#,Iversen*,Emmerson

Andrew Loughton Oliver Harrison(1) Salter* O’Malley# Harman(1)#,Bullement*,Withill,Sallis

Andrew(1) Loughton Iversen# Harrison Bullement(1)Oliver(1)* Salter#,Miller*,Sallis,Murray

Andrew Loughton Iversen Harrison# Bullement Oliver(1) Salter(1)#,Murray*,Miller+

Andrew Wray Waud(2) Harrison Bullement Oliver(1) RHall,Iversen,Shepard,Emmerson

Adnrew RHall Bullement Harrison* Salter Oliver+ Iversen#,Shepard*,Miller+,Emmerson,Loughton

Andrew RHall* Wray(1) Harrison+ Shpeard# Oliver Salte#r,Loughton*,Miller+

Andrwe Harrison(2)Shepard Wray(1)* Oliver Iversen(1)# Waud(1)#,Loughton*,Davies+

Andrew Wray Shepard Bullement(1)+Harrison(1)*Iversen Pulford#,Salter*,Loughton+,Davies,Miller

Andrew Wray# Shepard* Chaffer(1) Oliver Iversen(1) RHall#(1),Salter*,Davies+,Waud,Miller

Home

Pos

D

1 Sculcoates Amateurs 15 5 2 2 19 11 5 1 0 20 4 10 3 2 39 15 24 33

Hedon Rangers FC 14 6 0 2 24 15 4 0 2 17 14 10 0 4 41 29 12 30

Pocklington Town 14 4 0 3 13 11 5 1 1 24 5 9 1 4 37 16 21 28

Hall Road Rangers 16 4 1 2 12 8 4 1 4 21 22 8 2 6 33 30 3 26

South Cave United 15 5 2 2 27 15 2 2 2 9 9 7 4 4 36 24 12 25

East Riding Rangers 14 4 1 3 22 12 4 0 2 14 14 8 1 5 36 26 10 25

Hornsea Town 15 1 1 5 7 17 6 1 1 25 11 7 2 6 32 28 4 23

LIV Supplies 12 2 2 0 15 11 4 0 4 18 20 6 2 4 33 31 2 20

Hull United AFC 14 3 1 2 17 14 2 3 3 13 15 5 4 5 30 29 1 19

Cherry Burton F.C 14 2 2 3 17 22 2 0 5 12 25 4 2 8 29 47 -18 14

Hessle Sporting Club 11 1 3 2 16 15 2 1 2 14 13 3 4 4 30 28 2 13

St Marys AFC 17 2 1 5 12 22 0 2 7 9 26 2 3 12 21 48 -27 9

Hessle Rangers 14 1 0 6 8 32 1 3 3 15 20 2 3 9 23 52 -29 9

Reckitts AFC 11 0 1 4 7 16 0 2 4 10 18 0 3 8 17 34 -17 3 As at 12th January 2023

SPONSOR A PLAYER

Hall Road Rangers are again inviting supporters and local businesses to support the club by sponsoring a player in the Hall Road Rangers squad.

This is a great way to show your support for the club as well as to advertise your business for the rest of the season.

SPONSOR A PLAYER

You will be associated with your sponsored player for any announcements made over the tannoy system for the rest of the season. That will include during the announcement of the team before the kick-off, and of course if your chosen player scores a goal!

If you would like to find out more information or to take one of these packages please contact Dave Reader at the club.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

By Jon Couch

It’s the debate which has raged on in NonLeague football for years but one which, up until now perhaps, has consistently been likened to flogging a dead horse.

But now it appears there could be light at the end of a long dark tunnel.

With all but a couple of National League clubs are operating full-time – and often out-performing many of their League Two counterparts – surely it’s only right that the idea of increasing the number of promotion places from the top-flight to the Football League to three is revisited?

At their current pace, the National League’s top three of Notts County, Wrexham and Chesterfield are all on to go through the 100-point barrier – and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they all (only) exceeded 90.

But with just one automatic promotion spot, and six ultimately battling it out for the second place through the play-offs, there are going to be some very disappointed clubs when the bubbly has dissipated in a few months’ time.

This week, NLP editor-at-large Matt Badcock spoke to three of the Football Conference’s unlucky losers from over the years – Non-League legends from the last decade who missed out on promotion by the narrowest of margins, despite enjoying ground-breaking campaigns.

Wrexham fans still talk about their 98-point season. A cloud has hung around since 2012

when they missed out to Fleetwood Town by five points.

In the play-offs, they had their second chance wrecked in the semis by a Luton who finished 18 points behind.

“It’s talked about all the time, the 98-point season,” legendary defender Mark Creighton told us. “That was the chance we should have got out.

“To have a season as solid as that and not go up because there’s only one automatic is poor – it’s a kick in the b******s of every single person who worked their nuts off to get to that position.

“Play-offs are a lottery. You have one bad game and it ruins you. That's what we had two years on the bounce. If you don’t perform even for half of one of those games, it’s over, it’s done. That’s what happened.”

Kidderminster Harriers felt similar pain the following year. Steve Burr's side racked up 93 points but Mansfield Town won it on the final day, finishing two clear. Kiddy went out in the semi-finals, ironically to Wrexham.

“If I remember right, we lost the first five games and then we drew the next five,” said Kyle Storer, who this week left Solihull Moors to join Nuneaton Borough. “We were bottom of the league after ten matches and didn't have a win to our name.

“Then we went 26 unbeaten. It was an incredible run and we got it to the last day of the season.

“I say we lost it on the last day, we actually lost it the week before when we drew with Woking. We were 2-0 up and should have won and it would have been in our hands.

“The biggest disappointment was we'd beaten everyone in the top six twice.

“But it was heartbreak – 93 points, put that run together and then lose the play-offs to a team 13 points below us. It was tough to take.”

Steve McNulty won the title with Fleetwood and Luton Town but had to navigate the play-offs with Tranmere Rovers. They did it eventually but only a year after finishing on 95 points, four behind Lincoln City. They lost in the final to Forest Green Rovers.

Like Creighton and Storer, McNulty, now manager at Bootle, believes it's time for an extra spot.

“Obviously I was down at Luton and they’d struggled to get out,” he says. “You’ve got Wrexham in there now, Chesterfield and teams like that.

“But, on the other hand, it would also be good for these so-called smaller teams. I was in the league when the Cowleys took Braintree into the play-offs. It would be great for them to have that extra chance where they can get into the EFL.”

As it stands, talks are currently deadlocked between the EFL and Premier League for more funding from the top-flight.

It is acknowledged, however, that the EFL have a responsibility to assist clubs further

down the pyramid and the best way of achieving this, in many eyes, is by offering an additional promotion place.

And if anyone had any doubt as to whether current Non-League sides could cut the mustard, they need look no further than this week’s FA Cup performances.

Wrexham recorded a fine 4-3 victory at Championship Coventry City, while Chesterfield came within a whisker of toppling West Bromwich Albion, denied only by a 94th-minute equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Boreham Wood, mid-table in the National League gave Frank Lampard’s Everton a stern test in the fifth round last season and are in the fourth round hat again after a 1-1 draw with League One Accrington Stanley.

Currently, no fewer than seven clubs in English football’s third tier have come up through the Non-League system over the last decade or so, with one club, Luton Town, competing in the higher reaches of the Championship.

“It’s not like they’re asking for a lot – it’s only one extra space,” added McNulty, who eventually won promotion into the EFL three times with Fleetwood, Luton and Tranmere Rovers.

"There has got to be some compromise somewhere. They’ve got to bridge that gap and give clubs a chance.”