NATIONAL LEAGUE

ALL THE SCENARIOS OF THE PAST AFTER 37 GAMES

IT’S a once-in-a-lifetime occurence and it doesn’t appear to be ending any time soon. Coronavirus is threatening to end the National League season prematurely.

As it stands, Barrow currently lead the way but nearly every of the 22 sides still have something to play for if the season restarts.

So, with 37 games on the clock, Tom Scott looks at what would have happened in the past five National League seasons had time been called at this stage?

2014-15

Five years ago in mid-March, Bristol Rovers were in touching distance of an immediate return to the Football League with Barnet just pipping the Gas to the title by a point.

Had the season finished on Matchday 37, there still would have been just a point between the two – but it the Bees who would’ve fallen just short. Under Darrell Clarke, Rovers would have booked an instant departure from Non-League.

At the other end of the table, not much would have changed. Alfreton, Dartford, AFC Telford and Nuneaton would still have dropped through the trapdoor.

2015-16

Cheltenham ended this season top of the pile in convincing fashion. The Robins, under Gary Johnson, clocked up 101 points, leaving local rivals Forest Green Rovers in their wake – a whole 12 points behind. It would have been so much closer if things were wrapped up in mid-March, however. The champions-elect Robins led the way by just two points at the 37-game mark. Halifax might have wished the season could have ended early. The Shaymen were four points clear of the drop after Matchday 37, eventually being consigned to a stint in the National League North.

2016-17

Lincoln City would have won the league in either scenario three seasons ago. If anyone would have wanted the season to end early, it would have been Gateshead.

The Heed occupied the last play-off place after Matchday 37 but ended up 12 points adrift at the end of the season. Aldershot replaced them, bridging a threepoint deficit in their last seven games. While Danny

Cowley was topping the table with his new club, previous employers Braintree were heading for disaster. Eventually relegated, the Iron would have survived the drop by four points if things had finished after 37 games.

2017-18

Macclesfield would have still lifted the National League title if things were tied up with 37 games on the board – but things would have been drastically different over their shoulder. Aldershot, who did look like they were pushing the Silkmen all the way, eventually finished 17

points off the pace. Dover and Wrexham would have taken an early finish – both were in the top seven on matchday 37. But both eventually fell short, AFC Fylde and Ebbsfleet taking their spots.

At the bottom, Maidstone would have missed out on their Great Escape if things had halted too soon. Jay Saunders’ side were in the bottom four after 37 games before ending the season well clear of danger.

2018-19

The die was cast pretty early last season as Leyton Orient fought off shock contenders Solihull Moors to bag the title.

The O’s led the way on Matchday 37 with the rest of the top seven sides not changing although Salford City used their last seven games to perhaps bag a more favourable draw in the playoffs, replacing Wrexham.

Who knows whether the Ammies would have secured Wembley glory if they had finished lower in the pecking order? Relegation was sorted too but if the season ended after 37 games, it would have been Havant & Waterlooville who would have been reprieved following Gateshead’s demotion, not Aldershot.