England Hockey announced that all hockey activity in the country is suspended until at least June 30 while declaring that the domestic England Hockey League season are finished due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Positions in the were determined on a “percentage points basis” with the Midlands Mens Hockey League stating that “there are no teams where this small difference affects promotion or relegation.”
A statement from England Hockey said: “England Hockey has today taken the decision to suspend all hockey activity until 30 June 2020.
“Currently hockey activity is suspended until April 15 but, with the continuing social restrictions caused by Covid-19, this extension is pragmatic in the circumstances and provides clarity for our clubs, players, officials and volunteers.
“The health and wellbeing of those in the hockey community is our overriding concern so please follow the government guidance and stay safe.
“Following the suspension of hockey activity until the end of June, given the time it would take to complete the league and prepare nationally and locally for the 2020-21 season – which naturally we hope will be able to run as normal – there is now insufficient time to complete the 2019-20 season.
“Remaining games in the Men’s and Investec Women’s Hockey Leagues 2019-20 seasons will not be played.
“However, the League Finals between the top four teams in the Premier Division to determine the league champions and EuroHockey placings cannot be concluded in their prescribed format, nor can the Play Offs to determine promotion and relegation between the Premier Division and Division One North and South.
“England Hockey understands there are significant implications to ending the season at this point and is mindful that the integrity of the League is important. We have begun a thorough process to deliver a fair and balanced outcome for teams.
“A recommendation will be made to the England Hockey Board in April and communicated to clubs thereafter.”
The Midlands Mens Hockey League also released a statement.
It read: “The Committee have agreed that the 2019/20 season will be regarded as completed from this date.
“To calculate final League positions we will use a percentage points basis.
“This is calculated on total points won (three for a win, one for a draw), minus any points deducted for disciplinary offences, then divided by the total number of points available from the games played, multiplied by 100 to give the percentage.
“Should teams have the same percentage points, goal difference will then be used.
“Resulting percentage values are displayed on this website – and though the tables are still shown in ‘points’ order, a couple of positional changes will be made when the tables are archived. There are no teams where this small difference affects promotion or relegation.
“Using this basis takes into consideration that at the point we have closed the season not all teams will have completed the same number of games and this method gives fairness to all teams.
“Final promotion and relegation issues have yet to be finalised – and will be posted in due course.
As a result Leek finished 7th in the Midlands Premier Division with a percentage score of 42.59%.
In Midlands Division 1, North Stafford placed 9th (40%) while in Division 2 Burton finished 5th (63.33%) and Stone, 8th (43.85%).
In the West Midlands Premier Division, the scoring system meant that Cannock finalised securing their title finishing 1st with a percentage figure of 90%.
Tamworth finished 11th in Division 2 with 11.66% after only winning once in 22 games while Stafford narrowly missed out on pole position in the same league, only missing out on top spot on goal difference to Bromsgrove (+46 to +29).
The standings regarding the Midland Region Hockey Association Women’s League are currently unclear with Eligibility Secretary Eileen Edwards posting on Monday: “England Hockey hugely disappointed to suspend all hockey activity until June 30!”
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