Vote to end it, league says

THE National League has advised Southport and all clubs in its three divisions to vote in favour of ending the regular season without playing games that were scheduled up to April 25.

A poll of clubs would then determine the outcome of campaigns at steps 1-2 of the non-league pyramid should the vote be passed, with promotion and relegation play-off matches a potential solution.

The Football Association has already ratified the decision to end non-League football at steps 3-7 while an express payment of £2million had been made to the National League by the Premier League.

The National League has since sent a letter to clubs addressing the next steps forward after football was brought to a halt in England due to coronavirus.

“The board has approved an ordinary resolution for clubs, that the playing season shall immediately end for all fixtures scheduled up to and including April 25, 2020,” the letter, revealed by the BBC, said. “The board recommends clubs vote for this resolution.

“If the ordinary resolution is passed and the remaining ‘normal season’ league matches of the season are cancelled, the league will then immediately proceed with a poll of North and South clubs to determine the outcomes of the season across those divisions. This will be followed by a vote to determine the outcomes of the season in the National Division. The appropriate options to determine the outcomes of the season are being diligently prepared, and will be approved by the board before they are sent to clubs in due course.”

Last month Southport majority shareholder Ian Kyle admitted he believes the season would eventually be scrapped.

He said: “I think it will be declared null and void. Quite simply at this time there are things more important than football.

“I believe the only way forward is to ensure that everyone sticks to the guidance stay inside wherever possible and lets go again when everyone is healthy and we can concentrate on enjoying football again.”