This weekend see’s the first matches of The FA National Futsal Super League, as the strongest clubs in England come together in an attempt to reach the Grand Finals in June.
After a long season playing in the three regional leagues, the top four clubs from each region have progressed into the Super League.
The FA National Futsal League
Super League
Sunday 8 March 2015
By Simon Walker
Previously the Super League consisted of four small groups of three teams, with the top team in each group progressing to the Grand Finals.
However this year will see the 12 Super League clubs split into two leagues of six clubs, where they will play each other in home and away games with the top two clubs from each league making it through to St Georges Park on 6 June to play in the Grand Finals.
"This new structure to the Super League provides greater opportunity for the top clubs in England to play each other, helping to provide stiffer challenges on a more regular basis for both the clubs and the players," said Simon Walker, The FA National Manager for Futsal.
"It will hopefully provide higher quality matches that will create more interesting spectacles for Futsal fans.
"But it also helps the clubs and the League prepare for the transition next season where a larger Super League consisting of a North and South division is introduced on a more permanent basis."
The first matches of the Super League start on Sunday and continue until the end of May, with both groups looking very tight and exciting.
Baku United were last season's FA National Futsal League champions
In Group A, the Northern Champions, Manchester Futsal Club must be considered favourites after reaching both the National League Grand Final and The FA Futsal Cup Final last season only to be beaten narrowly by Baku United on both occasions.
Manchester stormed to victory in convincing fashion in the North League this year, but their Super League group contains some formidable opponents.
Helvecia, the five-time National League champions, have made some positive additions to their squad and as the season has progressed appear to be reaching a rich vein of form.
FC Baltic have only lost two games this season in the Southern league, which is no mean feat, and as runners up in the South no-one should underestimate their strength.
Loughborough Students and Oxford City Lions historically always raise their game for the big occasions and both will be fancying their chances in reaching the Grand Finals.
Rounding off Group A is the wild card entrant of the University of York, who are only in the Super League due to the withdrawal of Teesside. But York will be keen to impress and show that they are not here to make up the numbers.
Super League Group B, looks equally enthralling. Current National Futsal League champions and favourites to retain their title, Baku United, will perhaps not have it all their own way during the Super League matches.
Midlands champions, Birmingham Futsal Club, have looked in inspired form this season and will be hoping that they can maintain their momentum.
Sheffield, Middlesbrough and Genesis are three clubs that have all had experience of playing in the Grand Finals, and they will all have strong expectations of playing on the big stage once again. All three clubs have had a mixed season, but on their day they each have a squad strong enough to challenge the top clubs in the land.
Reading are perhaps the surprise package of the Super League. After gaining promotion to the top-flight at the end of last season, the Midlands club have had a fairy-tale ending to the season, losing only one league game since December. They must be considered as outside favourites for making it through to the Grand Finals.
The Super League has thrown up some appetising fixtures and the next couple of months will really stretch all of the clubs in this stage of the competition as they fight for the right to be called National Champion and to get a place in the European competition for next season.
Spectators are encouraged to come and watch their local Super League club, to find out more visit www.EnglandFutsal.com or click here to see the fixtures.
