Got as much right to be there as any Christchurch team. Would be great for Nelson football
Have they though? And I also question AW82 if they are good enough they will make it comment too.
All they have to do is win the Nelson league (which with a smaller population, and the best players already in the Suburbs team) so effectively this is an easier competition. Then they have to win a home and away game against the winner of the Qualifying League, which can be very hit and miss. Do that, and they're in.
Nelson have representation in the league with Suburbs, and we all know the disaster that happened with Richmond last time. With a Southern League on the cards, do we really want more trips to Nelson to play a lesser team. It's bad enough having to travel to Rolleston next year! God forbid getting Waimak in the Premier League huh? Sure, there will be entertainment, but at what cost?
Yes, of course they do. They pay fees to Mainland football same as every Christchurch club. I agree though, I don't think that either Richmond or FC Nelson are good enough to push for promotion at this point. I think we will see improvement in the local league over the next few years as Tasman United gets more established though, through extra coaching and NYL opportunities etc.
If they beat the qualifying team from Chch then they've earned the spot. They wouldn't be a "lesser" team as you imply, they'd be there on merit.
Having the president funding the club get arrested for fraud is a one off event, so not sure why you think the Richmond disaster would happen again. Especially since we were more than competitive before the shark went down, which shows if the moneys there then the performances will be as well. Although I say this as someone who played for Richmond for 12 years so I'm biased.
The travel is a secondary issue for mine, the best teams should be in the league and if a Nelson club earns that right then that bridge gets crossed.
