Mixed reaction as grass-roots game has to start from scratch

The FA announced on Thursday that the season would be brought to an end and that all matches from the 2019-20 season have been expunged, meaning no promotion or relegation for any clubs.

There had been disagreement in non-league circles as to how the season should be concluded, with some advocating a result via a points-per-game ratio while others felt the best way forward was to make it null and void.

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Stocksbridge Park Steels are one club whose promotion hopes have been hit by the decision to end the season early but chairman Graham Furness feels that making the campaign null and void will allow everyone to have a fresh start.

“I think it pales into insignificance when people are losing jobs and closing business and losing their lives,” said Furness.

“Personally, I would have said null and void it and start again. That could cause some problems with the National League and who goes into League Two.

“You have just got to start again rather than going points-per game. I think I might be in the minority, to be honest, but it is unprecedented times.

“It is all down to opinions and it is a difficult decision to make.”

With the season now over, clubs can begin forward-planning for the 2020-21 campaign, with the hope that normality will have resumed by then.

Stocksbridge, like many non-league clubs across Yorkshire, have been hit in the pocket by the season’s suspension.

Furness continued: “We had home games to play, Sheffield Wednesday Under-23s playing at our ground and local finals coming up.

“Obviously, we have lost quite a bit of income through that. We are limited for income streams.”

Furness has also warned that some clubs may not be in a position to continue next season, adding: “The FA should be making an effort to see how many clubs can be in a position to start next season.

“You have got to wonder where the income streams will come from over the next 20 weeks.”

Ossett United chief executive Phil Smith feels that determining each team’s finish by points-per-game would have been the fairest way to conclude the campaign.

Ossett were involved in a relegation battle in the North West Division of the Northern Premier League but in any scenario would have maintained their step four status.

“I have spoken to a few other chairmen about the ideal solution,” said Smith.

“Do you have to respect the hard work and finances that have gone into two-thirds of a season and reward people for that? That is what we are all investing in. I think a points-per-game ratio is fair.

“It rewards the teams that have been the strongest throughout the season.”

Liversedge FC were on course to earn promotion from the Northern Counties East League into the Northern Premier League as they sat two points from top spot with two games in hand.

Manager Jonathan Rimmington feels that cancelling the season was the “only decision” but wanted to see his side rewarded for their efforts.

“Some clubs have spent quite a lot of money to get into the position they are in,” he added.

“We knew three were being promoted from our league so clubs maybe put a little bit more in than they would if only one team was going up.”

Liversedge had played 24 of their 38 league games, with just nine at their home ground.

The decision to cancel the season has left the club without gate receipts for 10 fixtures but Rimmington says that all contracted players – a total of seven – will be paid until the end of the season.

He added: “We have got a few contracted players but our backer has said he will pay them all.

“The other players are going to be paid as well. The club hasn’t got any debt but we have had hardly any home games so we don’t have much money in the bank.”