Stockport and Robins hit by promotion blow Hill’s axed by Bolton after their relegation

STOCKPORT County’s and Altrincham’s hopes of promotion this season look to be over.

Under plans proposed by the National League to decide the final outcomes of their competitions, both clubs will miss out.

County were seventh and in the final play-off spot in the National League when the season was brought to an end by the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the league’s proposal to decide final placings via a pointsper-game basis would see Jim Gannon’s men - who have played 39 games - slip down to eighth while Barnet, who have only played 35 matches, leap from 11th to seventh to claim the final play-off spot.

Barrow will be promoted to League Two as champions, with Harrogate, Notts County, Yeovil Town, Boreham Wood, Halifax and now Barnet fighting it out for the second promotion spot into the Football League.

Bottom-of-the-table Chorley will be relegated, with Wealdstone winning National League South and Kings Lynn overtaking leaders York City from National League North.

However, the government ruled that the second tier of non-league football does not constitute ‘elite sport’ even though some times are fulltime professionals, and therefore can not hold games even behind closed doors.

That means the National League North play-offs can’t be held, leaving fifth-place Altrincham facing another season in the division. The proposals now need to be ratified by the clubs who have until Monday to vote on the plans -

BOLTON are looking for a new manager after telling Keith Hill his time at the club is finished.

Hill and assistant David Flitcroft will not be offered new contracts when their deals expire at the end of the month.

Wanderers were relegated from League One when the season was curtailed this week, finishing bottom on 14 points after starting the campaign with a 12-point deduction for going into administration.

Former Rochdale manager Hill had been appointed on August 31

although York have already tabled an amendment which would see the top two sides in National League North and South on points to both be promoted to the National League.

Altrincham co-chairman Bill Waterson told the club’s website: “This is the cruellest outcome, particularly as, 48 hours ago, the club were asked to consider whether we would want play-offs if played behind closed doors and under a strict testing regime.

“We knew it would cost us around £50,000 and we knew this was a last year. Chairman Sharon Brittan said on the club’s official website: “Following on from this week’s announcement by the EFL and confirmation that Bolton Wanderers will be playing in Sky Bet League Two next season, we believe it to be in the best interests of the club that we have a fresh approach to our management and coaching structure for the next season and beyond.

“I would like to wish Keith and David all the very best for the future.”

The is the cruellest outcome. So we regroup and start planning for next season Altrincham co-chairman Bill Waterson

gamble. No certainty of outcome, on the one hand but, on the other, we would at least be in the game, participating.

“The board did not hesitate. We had the greatest confidence in manager Phil Parkinson and in our remarkable squad of players, and so we were unanimous in our desire for Alty to take part in the NLN play-offs for the second season in succession.

“But then the opportunity was gone, as quickly as it was offered, it was snuffed out. So, we regroup and start planning for next season.”