Football season finally declared null and void
NON-LEAGUE football across the country has been scrapped for 2020-21 with immediate effect.
A statement from The Football Association said that after consulting clubs from Steps 3-6 – including the likes of Southern League Premier Side Barwell, and Midland Football League’s AFC Hinckley and Leicester Road FC the season will be terminated.
The FA Alliance and Leagues Committee said that more than 76 per cent of all clubs across Steps 3-6 wanted to cancel the season if it could not start again with limited fans and hospitality before April 1.
The FA Council will now be asked to ratify the decision.
The FA statement said: “Submissions were made by 99.1% of clubs at Steps 3 and 4, and 95.8% of clubs at Steps 5 and 6. We would like to thank the clubs for submitting their views and the time taken in providing responses during what we appreciate is an incredibly challenging period.
“The results of the survey showed that over 76% of all clubs across Steps 3-6 indicated a preference to curtail the 2020-21 league season if it could not be restarted with limited spectator numbers and hospitality before 1 April 2021.
“During this process, taking into account views of clubs and leagues it was decided that extending the 2020/21 league season beyond the end of May 2021 would not be a viable option.
“This was due to various considerations, including the financial implications for many clubs, player contracts and the extent of the fixture scheduling issues caused by the national lockdown and various postponements which had resulted in there being 81% of matches left to complete for Steps 3 and 4, and 75% at Steps 5 and 6.
“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 Non-League System should be curtailed with immediate effect.”