‘No-win situation’ for FA, says Northern League chairman Youngman

Northern League chairman Glenn Youngman believes that the Football Association were in a no-win situation after they expunged all results for the 2019/20 season across steps three to six of the nonleague pyramid.

Asthecoronavirusepidemiccontinuestoimpactonclubs across the country, the FA’s decisiontobringaprematureend tothecampaignandvoidallresultswasannouncedinastatement on Thursday afternoon.

That has led to disappointment for the likes of Stockton Town, Shildon and West Allotment Celtic, who were amongst the sides that looked well placed to gain promotion from the Northern League’s two divisions over the coming weeks.

Youngman admitted that the FA had a “difficult decision to make” as he thanked key figures at clubs for their hard work throughout the season.

He said: “This will be a huge disappointment to clubs, players and fans across our league.

“Our preferred option was that we should try and finish the current season, but if that was not possible then determinefinalpositionsonapoints per game basis.

“However, it must have been a very difficult decision for the FA to make and whatever the outcome was, they were never going to keep everyone happy. Clubs and players in particular will feel frustrated that months of hard work and commitment will count for nothing. I’d like to thank everyoneforalltheworktheyhave put in.

“Weannouncedthatwewill be waiving membership fees for our clubs for next season and have cancelled the annual dinner. Both these measures will help our clubs meet the bills they are facing in the comingweeksandmonths.We hopeeveryoneconnectedwith the Ebac Northern League stays safe and well.”

*Angry South Shields FC chairman Geoff Thompson says the club will ‘seek an appealorwilltakelegalaction’aftertheirpromotionhopeswere dashed. The FA and Leagues at Steps 3 to 6 of the non-league pyramid have reached the hugely controversial decision toendthe2019-20seasonwith immediate effect, with all results expunged.

Shields are top of the BetVictor Northern Premier Division table, and lead nearest rivalsFCUnitedofManchester by12pointsafterbeatingthem 5-3 just two weeks ago.

PostingonTwitter,Thompson wrote: “SSFC will be writing to the FA in the strongest possibletermsandwillseekan appealorwilltakelegalaction.”