Boost for Harrogate Town and York City after National League deadline is extended

Following a meeting last Thursday, FA Council members had been asked to vote on the proposal, to extend the season from the National League past a cut-off point of May 31 - which has now been granted.

The news will serve as a boost to the promotion-chasing Yorkshire duo of Harrogate Town - in second place in the National League - and York City, who lead National League North by two points, although rivals King's Lynn have played two games fewer.

FC Halifax Town finished in a play-off spot in the National League when the regular season was cancelled on April 22.

This latest decision keeps the prospect of National League playoffs on the table, but doesn’t mean they will definitely happen.

The National League - keen to keep its two promotion places to the EFL - is yet to offer clubs a vote on how to end the season, with the outcome of the 2019-20 campaign to be shaped by the English Football League.

Earlier this month, the EFL recommended that promotions, relegations and play-offs go ahead in all three of its three divisions, but all 71 clubs will be asked to vote on the framework.

This came despite League Two clubs previously indicating that they wished to cancel the remaining fixtures and not to relegate bottom team Stevenage to the National League because it was deemed unfair to do so with 10 matches still to be played.

Although National League leaders Barrow are still likely to be promoted to the EFL to replace Bury, not relegating Stevenage would have all but ended any chance of a second team going up to League Two which has been the case since the 2002/03 season when the play-offs were introduced.

On the EFL's decision to retain relegation in its three divisions, Harrogate manager Simon Weaver said: "This is obviously more positive from our point of view. At least the door is still open.

"I couldn't see relegation (from League Two] being scrapped because I don't think you can expect to have teams going up, but not down in the same division.

"In terms of the integrity of the game, promotion and relegation are important."

If the National League play-offs cannot go ahead, then it is still also possible that Harrogate could be promoted along with Barrow.

If the three EFL divisions vote to curtail their seasons, then league positions will be decided using an unweighted points per game method.

The EFL have said that a majority of 51 per cent will be required to curtail the season in any of its divisions.

In a statement, the governing body said the “principle of relegation across all three divisions is integral to the integrity of the pyramid, from the Premier League down to the National League, provided we have assurances that the National League will start season 2020-21.”