To the organisers of the CLA (JP and Marval) and to all the correspondents in this forum, may we express our thanks for the time and support you have given this recent development and for considering our clan in a play-off for immediate promotion. We have given it a lot of thought and, given we received the news only 24 hours ago, have written a considerable amount of correspondence in the short time frame we've had. We would like to answer as follows:
To JP
We all appreciate what a tough role you have taken on in administering this league and that no matter what arrangement you had to make, someone somewhere was not going to be happy. Your decision to pit the two clear favourites in Division 2 against each other to fill the vacancy left by Sky Force was certainly the most logical one you could reach, so we applaud you for that. On the other hand it may easily be argued that it's not the fairest; such argument may easily be levelled by any of the clans in Div.2 and in particular Nemesis, who we appreciate had been lobbying for a long time to get into the top division based on a recent string of victorious challenges. Nevertheless the system you had in place when you assigned teams to their respective divisions at the time was the most judicious one you could conceive. Your reasoning to Nemesis was fair and just and really they should have just swallowed their pride and accepted their place in Division 2 in accordance with the rules and the seeding system that you implemented. We did.
I wouldn't take too long in deciding actions as neither clans have sent me their rosters and there is only about 24 hours until the deadline. For clans that want into Div1 so badly, neither has sent me a roster yet which is slightly disappointing given the maps being used are quite standard
You gave us 48 hours. Rather than express disappointment about having not received a roster just 18 hours after I received your PM how about giving the addressees the allotted time to give you their reply. Then you can be disappointed And for the record, TOFU has never sought to be moved up from Div.2 to Div.1 so please don't tar us with the same brush, thank you.
To Nemesis
We have a great deal of respect for (the playing abilities of) your members. HardAttack is by far one of the most competent players I personally have had the privilege to play with (and against) on this site. You're also a friendly bunch - the makings of a tight-knit clan. But really....guys....what a lot of commotion you are making over this. If you look at it honestly then you should appreciate it for the opportunity it is, not as some burden or unfair ruling. Here are a few truths:
- You were ranked as a Division 2 team and, by virtue of being in Div.2, had obviously accepted that fact and were prepared to play in the League.
- You have just been afforded an opportunity to gain promotion, yet are unhappy about it (?)
- You obviously feel you might lose the play-off to TOFU, in which case I ask you "Which team deserves to be in a higher division?" (I guess coming on the back of a 16-5 loss to us in Lindax's TLO league tourney we can see your apprehension )
- Rather than show gratitude to the administrators for giving you a shot at Division 1 you come on the forum and whine about it.
- Nemesis and TOFU are both 'victims' of the same circumstance, i.e. too late at the start of the competition to earn a place in the top flight. The organisers have made a ruling, as is their right, to determine that the top two seeds in Division 2 based on recent results may challenge each other for a fast-track into Division 1. It's not a rule change as you imply in your posts - it's a new ruling entirely and as such there is no precedent for you to say "This is unfair".
- freakns talks about our challenge not being completed (even though we have already won it) and then in his 2nd post argues that same point, only this time in support of his own challenge being recognized despite that not being 'official' either. A bit contradictory methinks.
Conclusion
Having weighed-up the pros and cons of this play-off opportunity, we at TOFU have decided to decline the invitation and remain in Division 2. It is merely one season we are talking about, and if we are worthy of our reputation then we shall gain promotion in the traditional manner. And I deliberately choose the word 'reputation', as for any member of TOFU that is a far more honourable badge to wear - one that we shall do so with pride in every encounter we make in this League.
Our thanks again to JP and MarVal for affording us this opportunity, and our best wishes to Nemesis should they be chosen for immediate promotion to Division 1.
Yours in friendship,
T.O.F.U.
In Odd We Trust