League boss queries move to void season
NWCFL chairman Paul Lawler has questioned the decision made by the FA last week to null and void the non-league campaign at steps 3-6.
Runcorn Town have therefore had all results and records expunged from their NWCFL
Premier Division season and will now await guidance on when the new term will begin as the country fights against the coronavirus pandemic.
In a letter submitted to the FA, Lawler said: “We feel that the decision has been done hastily without the proper consultation and there has been a severe lack of transparency in the process, leaving more questions than it does answers.
“Our preferred option was to wait and see what happens and allow the season to be completed at a later date, if the timescales allow.
“It is our duty to protect our clubs and we felt that the resumption of competitive football as soon as physically possible was the best solution for all involved.
“That said, none of us know when this is going to end, but we could have deferred the decision to end the season to a later date when it becomes clearer. Instead it was declared that the decision had already been made to end the season with immediate effect.
“My board and our clubs would like more clarity on how this decision was made and by whom as there is confusion about exactly when this was made and with which stakeholders.”
Lawler posed six questions that he believes need answering after the North West Counties and corresponding leagues were made null and void while the National League remains suspended indefinitely.
He asks if the FA will be compensating leagues and clubs for financial losses like season ticket refunds as well as a solution to who will be allocated FA Cup qualifying places.
“Will all discipline records from this season be carried over to next and will clubs be refunded by The FA/County FAs for all discipline matters and costs?” he adds.
“Will playing contracts be cancelled with immediate effect as a result as if they didn’t exist in the first place?”
Runcorn were seventh in the NWCFL Premier Division when the decision was made.