Chairman Bosomworth issues update to Town fans
FC HALIFAX Town chairman David Bosomworth says there has been no formal consultation or discussion from National League bosses with clubs since the suspension of the season.
Speaking in a club update to supporters, Bosomworth says the club is as in the dark about what happens next as everyone else.
The remaining National League fixtures were cancelled earlier this week, but the matter of promotion and relegation in the division is still unresolved, with The Shaymen in the playoff places.
In a statement, Bosomworth said: “As today was to have been our last game of the regular season away at Solihull Moors, I just wanted to send a brief message on behalf of all at FC Halifax Town.
“Firstly, we extend our most grateful thanks to all in the NHS, the carers and all frontline workers endeavouring to keep us safe and well, ensuring day to day life is as normal as possible.
“I would also like to thank our supporters, sponsors, suppliers and fundraisers for their kind support throughout the season. I also thank all the staff and volunteers at the Club for their great efforts throughout the season.
“You’ll have seen that with an open vote of the clubs across the National League and the North and South divisions, it was approved that the regular part of the 19/20 season was to be concluded.
“It’s six weeks since we last kicked a ball. In that time, we have had no formal consultation or exploratory discussion from the chairman or chief executive of the National League with the clubs, to establish how and where we go from here.
“We’re as totally in the dark as you are!
“We are informed that ‘promotion and relegation are under careful and timely discussion’ and we wait for ‘a further update’. We can only conjecture and listen to all the rumours.
“These are challenging times on all fronts. Whilst it is difficult for us to financially make this offer, if any supporter who bought a 19/20 senior season ticket feels they would like some money back for the three home games that were missed, we will do our best to make a refund.
“Please contact us via orders@fchtshop.com by Friday 1 May to arrange this.
“After this date, due to financial constraints we’ll not be able to process any more returns.
“If you don’t require a refund, there’s no need to contact us but please accept our sincere gratitude for your support in these trying times. We wish you all well and please keep safe.”
National League clubs have been asked to give their views on whether this season’s playoff matches should go ahead.
“Once that decision has been made, then a decision may be required to decide on the clubs that qualify for the play-offs given that the remaining scheduled fixtures have been cancelled,” the National League said in a letter.
The league said the only two alternatives “seem to be accepting the league positions as they stood at the date the season was effectively abandoned, or creating a new league table on a mathematical basis.”
However, the EFL has stated that if the League Two season is not completed then the second promotion spot from the
National League “could be jeopardised.”
This would mean that Stevenage, bottom of League Two, would not be relegated and so only one team would be promoted from the National League.
“The current EFL position is that if the National League completes its play-offs following the existing approved format and League Two completes its season, it is reasonable to assume the National League play-off winner can be promoted as the ‘National League runner- up’,” the league said, “However, if either of these conditions were not fulfilled, it is quite possible that the promotion place for the play-off winner could be jeopardised.”
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