Relegation-threatened National League Clubs prefer to Null and Void the Season
The National League board held talks on Friday to discuss what options should be put forward to clubs to vote on.
Here’s what the clubs at the bottom of the league have said about the decision to immediately finish the campaign…
Chorley
They were rock-bottom and 17 points from safety when the season was halted. Unsurprisingly, they want the season made null and void.
A club statement read: “As far as Chorley FC are concerned the cancellation of the rest of the season’s fixtures should result in the 2019/20 records being expunged. We believe this to be the only fair option available as any artificial points situation will leave most parties disgruntled.”
AFC Fylde
JIm Bentley’s team had won two and drawn one of their last three matches and were four points adrift of fifth bottom Wrexham.
Owner David Haythornthwaite told the Blackpool Gazette: “I’m no fan of points per game and I feel it would be criminal if we were relegated on that basis.
“I think null and void is not a bad option but it would be wrong to deny Barrow or Harrogate the chance of promotion, especially as there is a place available in the EFL because of Bury’s demise.
“We are in a crisis situation and so you can almost rewrite the rules, so my suggestion would be for Barrow and Harrogate to play-off at a neutral ground for a place in the EFL, but with no other promotion or relegation.”
Maidenhead United
The Berkshire outfit, who had been due to play Chesterfield next, had lost five on the bounce and were two points from safety.
The club published an open letter to the FA outlining their proposal which included promotions in all leagues being decided using average points per game and no teams from any division being relegated.
Ebbsfleet United
After winning back-to-back games they were fourth-bottom and one point from escaping the drop zone.
Chief executive, Damian Irvine, told the Press Association: “If promotion and relegation were to remain and it was decided on points per game we would go down by 0.002 per cent.
“We would want to play the rest of the league because we’re one of the form sides but realistically with the world health crisis and people passing away it’s not fair to want to play those games.”
Wrexham
The Welsh side were fifth bottom and one point clear of the bottom four but had played fewer games.
Boss Dean Keates said he was confident they would have avoided relegation if the season had resumed.
“It sounds harsh on Barrow, but I don’t see how they can declare them champions, or promote them,” he told The Leader. “Harrogate will say that there were 27 points to play for when the season was ended.
“The problem is that they aren’t going to appease everyone whether they choose to null and void the season or decide it on points-per-game.”