National League season set to end as Harrogate wait on news
THE 2019/20 National League season is set to be scrapped.
Competition has been suspended until at least April 3 due to the coronavirus outbreak, but it now seems highly unlikely that any more fifth or sixth tier football will be played this term.
National League CEO Michael Tattersal revealed on Wednesday that the “broad consensus” among member clubs at a recent board meeting was for a decision to be made to terminate the current campaign as soon as possible.
He added: “The National League attended a meeting last night with the Football Association, and the FA have been asked to assist us with making the decisions to officially
SIMON WEAVER: postpone all remaining National League fixtures and to end the season as soon as possible for the purposes of player contracts.
“The National League is also working with the FA to define all reasonable and practical options for the determination of the 2019/20 season, and to provide guidance to clubs on dealing with player contracts, player registrations and the application of the Coronavirus job retention scheme.”
This development will be of particular interest to Harrogate Town, who are currently second in the league standings, just four points behind leaders Barrow.
The Daily Star have reported that Simon Weaver’s team are set to be promoted to League Two if the season ends with immediate effect, though Town managing director Garry Plant insists that the revelation is news to him.
“I am not aware of any of the details in this report,” he said. “We want the season to be played out to a finish for the integrity of the league and of football.”