Northern League clubs set sights on December 5 return to action

The likes of Seaham Red Star, Ryhope CW and Sunderland RCA are set to play on the first Saturday of December after the Ebac Northern League confirmed their plan for the resumption of competitive fixtures.

Northern League clubs are unable to train or play league and cup fixtures after the government put a hold on nonleague football below National League North and South level in response to the ongoing batter the national lockdown has tle with the Covid-19 epidemic. been lifted.

However, the league re“However, the decision, leased a statement on Saturday made on Thursday night, is lunchtime revealing that their subject to any changes to the fixtures are set to resume just lifting of the lockdown and in three days after the end of the consultation with the FA. national four-week lockdown “League chairman Glenn that came into force last week. Youngman said: “These are un

The league statement read: precedented times, and every“The League Management one is in a difficult position. We Committee has decided that have had to balance the need league fixtures will resume of clubs and players to prepare on Saturday, December 5, af- for the resumption of matches with the need to complete the seasonandgettingmuch-needed income into clubs.

“By making an early decision, clubs will be able to plan as best they can for the resumption of games. By December we will have effectively lost two months of the season – having to start in September and this latest pause.

“We have been able to complete just under a third of our fixtures, but there is always the potential to lose further fixtures due to bad weather and there are other cup competitions – such as the Vase and FA county cups in December – which will put further pressure on league fixtures and reduce the number of dates that fixtures can be moved to.

“We will continue to keep under review whether we will hold our own cup competitions. Fixtures that have been postponed because of the current national lockdown have been re-arranged for dates towards the end of the season.

“Before the season started, clubs were asked for their views about how promotion and relegation should be decided if the season was ended prematurely. Around three quarters of clubs responded and the vast majority said that the points per game system should be used if at least 75% of fixtures have been played.”