APPEAL WON’T BLOT WALLACE’S FOCUS FOR BORO

STEVENAGE chairman Phil Wallace says he will be exploring legal options over their potential relegation from League Two – but is ready to embrace the National League should they fail.

Boro are set to be demoted from the Football League after Macclesfield Town were only deducted two points due to breaches of EFL regulations relating to the non-payment of players’ wages and for not fulfilling fixtures.

Last Friday, a suspended two-point deduction Macc had been given in May was activated with an additional four-point penalty imposed and suspended ahead of the 2020-21 season.

It meant Stevenage remained in 24th place on 22 points, with Macclesfield a place above on 23.

Boro’s relegation is still subject to the National League play-offs and the EFL board receiving the necessary assurances that the National League will start 2020/21 – and chief Wallace is investigating the legalities of the scenario.

“We will be looking closely at that with our legal advisors this coming week when we see the reasons and we will have to see where it goes from there,” he said. “Is it over? No, it’s most definitely not.

“We have a huge financial hurdle to overcome when we get back playing, no matter which league we are in. It will just be a much bigger hurdle with relegation. We will continue to fight, but if we are relegated by artificial means, then it won’t be for the want of trying to ensure fair play and sporting integrity.”

He continued: “If relegation happens then we will take our place in the National League and focus on being an exemplary member of that League, whilst trying to regain our EFL status. I have lost all the sleep I am going to lose over a forced, artificial relegation and I am now focused on the fact that I had ten good years in the Conference so I have absolutely no problem embracing that again.

“The crucial thing is that we get winning back in our Stevenage DNA again, wherever that may be we stay as one team.”