Harrogate Town and FC Halifax Town into playoffs, York City left waiting

A majority of National League clubs yesterday voted to decide final standings on an unweighted points-per-game basis and stage play-offs. The vote is subject to FA Council approval.

As a result, Barrow are promoted to the Football League and Harrogate Town and FC Halifax will be in the play-offs.

King’s Lynn are promoted to the National League after being crowned as National League North champions above York on PPG, while Wealdstone are the National League South winners.

York are now preparing themselves for potential play-offs, with chairman Jason McGill ready to pick up a bill of between £120,000 to £150,000 to enable the club to participate by bringing players off furlough and paying for Covid-19 testing.

It came after a U-turn from the National League who issued a revised proposal for play-offs to be reinstated in National League North and South following pressure from clubs.

While grateful for a second chance at promotion, York – who finished second in the NLN table – have concerns regarding the protection of promotion places if play-offs are cancelled.

An amendment proposed by the club late last week stressed that promotion should be determined on an unweighted points per game basis if a season is curtailed and a play-off competition cannot take place due to ‘exceptional and unforeseen circumstances.’

It also highlighted an EFL regulation change regarding play-offs which ensured that the board could ultimately determine which team would be promoted in the event of the competition not being completed – taking into account the concept of ‘sporting integrity.’

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