League null and void
Now that the decision has been made to cease all remaining fixtures in both the National League North and South with immediate effect, most clubs are unhappy with the lengthy decision-making process and few clubs are unhappy with the decision itself.
National League North side Chorley had been seventh in the table before the season was halted and spent £30,000 on making sure games went ahead.
The club, who reached the fourth round of the FA Cup before going out the Premier League side Wolves, have been critical of the way in which the situation has been dealt with.
“For me the most disappointing thing is how it’s all been handled, it’s been atrocious,” Magpies boss, Jamie Vermiglio told BBC Radio Lancashire.
“From the top level down to us the communication or lack of it and lack of clarity on certain things meant that clubs have been left to make their own decisions.
“As an example, we decided we were going to continue and play football, we then committed to fixtures playing full wages for players, coaches and everything else that comes with matchdays.
“We’re now £30,000 down when other clubs, and it’s up to them, have made a decision not to play” he explained.
Spennymoor Town and Gateshead United are among the teams who voted for the resolution, alongside Blyth Spartans whose manager publicly-said:
“It is the right decision with the number of clubs that have been struggling, on a financial aspect it is the
Ian Kyle
right decision.
However, for the majority of teams in the top half of the table, it is perhaps a different story.
York City are among 18 Step 2 clubs to have laid out a proposal for a ‘mini league’ in order to complete the 2020/21 season, some clubs are considering legal action against the league and say the outcome is not satisfactory.
York City chairman, Jason McGill said: “We need to keep playing consistent, competitive football in order for the team to operate with the ultimate aim of promotion.
“While we understand that some teams have to protect their own interests, it’s encouraging that others have united a group to fight for the continuation of Step 2 football.
Gloucester City chairman, Alex Petheram, whose club were five points clear at the top but had played three more games than secondplaced AFC Fylde, wants to see promotion and relegation retained.
Mr Petheram tweeted: “Disappointing is the word of the day… I can confirm that we have started legal action against the ‘null and void’ outcome.
“This isn’t to make clubs play on, it is to allow promotion and relegation”.
Despite decisions that have been made regarding the outcomes of this season, one of the main priorities of everyone involved in football is getting fans back into stadiums.
Ian added a message to the Southport fans who have shown their support over these unprecedented times:
“Financially we haven’t had an income for a long time and even though it’s going null and void we will still have to pay the up-keep of the stadium and bills which is going to continue until the season starts again.
“For those who don’t seek a refund on their season tickets, we will look to thank those people properly. Once lockdown ends we can have a couple of training sessions where people can come and watch.
“We can invite those people along to the ground and have a BBQ at the club, with the players, giving the club the opportunity to thank them for all of their support”.
“For those who do seek a refund we will release a statement in the next few days”.
If we didn’t go null and void, 66 clubs would not finish this league, they simply wouldn’t survive