York City put faith in National League rivals doing ‘the right thing’

Clubs have until today to vote on proposals from the governing body on ending the season, which have provoked much controversy in the National League North and South divisions.

Under the points-per-game plan (PPG) in the National League, Barrow would be promoted to League Two while only bottom side Chorley would be relegated.

Second-placed Harrogate Town and sixth-placed FC Halifax Town would be among clubs involved in play-offs to determine a second promotion place.

But, in the two regional divisions below, the National League proposed to promote just the champions and have no play-offs because those divisions are not thought to fall under the government’s classification of elite sport.

It would mean that York – who would finish in second place behind King’s Lynn under points per game in the National League North – would not feature in any play-offs or be promoted.

Alan Mak, MP for Havant – local club Havant and Waterlooville would finish second in National League South behind Wealdstone under PPG – says he has spoken to Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston and been told that the National League assessment is wrong.

York have tabled an amendment that would allow the top two clubs in National League North and South to be promoted if play-offs are not possible.

York MP’s Rachael Maskell and Julian Sturdy have also written to the Government to support York’s case.

Watson said: “We have done all we can and put a good case. It seems to me to be the sensible option as well.

“We have done everything right and worked as hard as we can and just hope that we get the rewards. We’ve just got to put our faith in people to do the right thing. I don’t think anybody in football, whether it be rivals of ours or teams in the league above would disagree with the fact that the team who are sitting at the top (before PPG) should go up.

“I heard something from the Chester manager and the King’s Lynn chairman has come out (and spoken) and people genuinely agree the two best teams were ourselves and King’s Lynn.

“They had a great season and we did.”

All National League clubs have a vote, with the North and South divisions having four votes each.

A majority of 51 per cent would be required to vote through a proposal, but any decision still has to be ratified by the FA Council.

Editor’s note: First and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you. James Mitchinson, Editor