Season void for a second year in a row

ALL non-League football below the fifth-tier National League was this week officially curtailed for the second successive season.

The National Leagues North and South had already voted to null and void the season, and now more than three-quarters of teams in steps three to six of the nonLeague pyramid – including the Southern League and Toolstation League – voted to end the season if matches could not be played with supporters before April 1.

Covid-19 guidelines released by the Government this week state that sporting events will not be allowed to have spectators attend before mid-May at the earliest.

Last season’s results were declared null and void too.

Leagues restarted in September, but have been hit by numerous postponements since, with games called off due to Covid outbreaks as well as two further nationwide lockdowns to try to control the pandemic, with many teams not playing a game since October.

The Football Association added that extending leagues beyond May was deemed not to be viable as 81 percent of matches were still to be played in steps three and four and 75 percent at steps five and six.

“Taking into account the survey results and the ongoing impact of Covid-19, which continues to adversely affect incomes for clubs due to restrictions on both fans and hospitality, The FA’s Alliance and Leagues Committees have reached a consensus that, subject to the approval of FA Council, the 2020-21 league season for Steps 3-6 of the National League System should be curtailed with immediate effect, with no further league matches taking place this season,” an FA statement read.

“It has also been decided that subject to FA Council’s decision regarding the curtailment of the season at Steps 3 to 6, both committees will revisit discussions around a potential restructure at Steps 4-6 of the NLS, which was previously agreed and has been on hold since the 2019-20 season. A further update on this will be provided in due course.”

■ Two non-League sides from the West region remain active.

Yeovil Town host Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League today, while Hereford make the journey to Aldershot in the last eight of the FA Trophy.