“/>How does the non-league season end? Photo: Oliver Atkin
For the second season in a row, the clubs in steps 3 to 6 of the non-league pyramid have their season zero and invalid.
Unlike last season, when the board of directors published the results controversially without consultation, this time the FA is at least looking for the views of the clubs.
All clubs have until Friday to take an FA-published poll to give their opinion on how they think 2020-21 should end.
Options include zero and nullity, implementing point-per-game ratios, or pausing the campaigns and restarting in August to end 2020/21 sometime between 2021-22.
Here is a selection of leading non-league reporters from across the country share their opinions …
Simon Carter (The News, Portsmouth)
I think the seasons should end
Put them on hold now, restart in August and play to a close. Reintroduce County Cups and other local cup competitions that may not have played in 2020-21 – Hampshire Senior, Russell Cotes, Portsmouth Senior – to clear list of games. Provided there are no more closures, this will ensure an end of around February / March, as we can almost certainly expect bad weather. If the season ends earlier, additional extra cups can be played. This plan ensures that a second zero and nullity is avoided – vital to the integrity of the leagues – and features promotion / relegation based on an entire league program, albeit one that extends from September 2020 to early 2022 (hopefully).
I think the FA will end the season
Unfortunately null and void. I’m sure that’s what they want – this poll is just a PR exercise – and I hope enough clubs will agree with them. However, the governing body should do everything possible to facilitate the closing of seasons and not cancel them in undue rush, as it did in March last year. Even if you disagree with the Non League project’s proposals – promoting clubs based on results over two seasons since early 2019-20 – at least they were creative. You seem to have the best interests of non-league football in your heart. I am still not convinced that the FA is the same at the national level.
Steve Bone, Sussex Newspapers
I think the seasons should end
When the first ban was imposed last March, I wrote that there was no need to end the 19-20 season – just rename it. Let’s call it the 19-21 season and give the clubs and leagues however long it took to finish them. That would have made it possible that there was no football for a year. Of course, no one listened with authority. Now I would say the same. Freeze the tables and fixtures for as long as you want, then pick up where we left off. If the ongoing Covid issues mean there is less time to act from August 2021 to May 2022, at least the leagues have made a start. If this causes problems with players’ movement and contracts, all that needs to be done is to overcome them.
I think the FA will end the season
Far from being convinced that those in power are open to anything radical, I would be amazed if this doesn’t turn out to be a second straight season, the step 3 and below zero and for non-league clubs is void. That will suit some and upset others, but with the FA writing off a season that lasted until March so quickly, I can’t see they hesitate to do the same with a campaign that is nowhere near close to close stands.
Jon Dunham (Northamptonshire Telegraph)
I think the seasons should end
Given that the clubs have been given the false hope that this season will be a full one, I think they should be given the chance to do just that. I think they should stay suspended for the time being and once the clubs are able to play with fans on their premises again (even if the capacities are limited as before) the leagues should continue as they are at the moment. If that means there is no campaign for 2021-22, then so be it. In retrospect, the 2019-20 campaign should now be played to the end instead of being declared null and void like last year. The same mistake shouldn’t be made.
I think the FA will end the season
I have no real doubt that it will be declared null and void. That is what the FA and Trident leagues have suggested, and it is unlikely that the majority of clubs would disagree, even if it is not what they actually want. In fairness, it’s easier to void this season as fewer games have been played. And that’s why I think this will be the way to go.
Daniel Gregory (The Scarborough News & Whitby Gazette)
I think the seasons should end
Unfortunately, that level of football has left itself to its own devices – leading us to the inevitable position where a zero-and-no inference is the only realistic option for leagues. The lack of funding for steps 3 to 6 is very sad and unfortunately some clubs may not survive this pandemic intact. I was very disappointed with the Northern Premier League’s lack of communication. They seem farther behind the curve than Boris’ Tories – which says all you need to know. The most important thing for me is clarity – these clubs need clarity now. If they know they won’t play until August, at least they can do everything in their power to shelter and find out what will no doubt take a few months.
I think the FA will end the season
Null and void, what is the alternative? The FA will take the easy way out after getting things into this phase with its utter lack of support and financial support for clubs at these levels.
Duncan Browne (Boston Standard, Chad Mansfied, Derbyshire Times, Melton Times)
I think the seasons should end
Another zero-and-no decision would result in the teams that have shown promotion potential so far this season – especially those that were up there at the end of last season – face up to 20 months of hard work and costs, which are just wiped off. And how does it continue? Do you see your better players becoming free agents and being picked up by rivals when football returns? Don’t rule it out. On the other hand, fighting teams could take another break, regroup, and come back stronger. The FA has made it clear that they want to wrap up the season in promotion and relegation so they can restructure the National League system and create their perfect pyramid. But how can that be possible when we have no idea when the lockdown will end and the tier system will be cheap to start again? After most teams declared null and void last season and played 25-30 games, the relegation of a club that has played 11 times this season would be more than ridiculous.
I think the FA will end the season
Covid-19 stays out there and if gambling puts the health of volunteers and viewers at risk, one has to wonder if it is worth it? If the break in the season forces the clubs to incur additional costs and then fold, they have failed by their government agencies. There is no right answer, but a decision must be made quickly before clubs go out of business and players lose interest. It feels like the only answer is null and void, but with the caveat that things will only restart when there is trust or rules in place to ensure a new season can come to a close.
