Decision to end the season is right, says Poppies chairman Mahoney

A statement from the National League today (Wednesday) confirmed the majority of clubs had voted in favour of a resolution, which brought the playing season to a close due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

Matches were suspended in the middle of last month and with no clear sign of the lockdown measures being lifted, the season has now been ended in what would have been its final week.

Mahoney confirmed he had voted in favour of bringing it to a close and the decision means Kettering are now set to retain their place in the National League North for whenever the next season may start.

The final outcomes, however, are yet to be determined with further votes expected on how to finalise league positions. It is understood that options will include to null and void the campaign or to decide positions on points per game ratios.

Mahoney said: “The news that the National League campaign has come to an end is no real surprise, given what the country is going through.

“Like everyone I would rather there had been a way to finish the season but we have to be realistic and accept that this was never really going to happen.

“With no confirmed end to the lockdown in sight, it was impossible to guess when we could restart and it would have been exactly that - a guess.

“Decisions had to be made for the good of the game, for business clarity and the safety of everyone involved in the sport we love, for me this was the right decision – albeit a hard one.

“I’m happy to share the fact that I did vote to the end of the season, not because I wanted to but because in my heart I truly believe it was the right decision.

“I’m sure that now the decision has been made to end the season, discussions will start on the ‘how’.

“In fact the statement from the league included the line ‘The options concerning the sporting outcomes of the 2019-20 season remain under careful and timely consideration, and further updates will be given in due course’. I would therefore expect another round of votes and more news to follow.

“I can’t comment yet on what my thoughts are for the next round of votes but I assure all Poppies fans and indeed all football fans that the board and I will make what we believe is the appropriate decision to project the integrity of the game.”

Mahoney, meanwhile, has paid tribute to manager Paul Cox and his squad with the ending of the season all but confirming safety.

Cox oversaw a remarkable turnaround on the pitch after he’d arrived at the end of October with the club firmly entrenched in the relegation zone.

They were on course to secure their safety even before the season was halted but, even if points per game ratios are used, Kettering will remain outside the relegation zone.

“I can’t come up with a mathematical scenario where the Poppies won’t retain our place in the National League North, which is a fantastic achievement in what has obviously been a turbulent year,” the chairman added.

“The board and I can’t thank Paul Cox, John Ramshaw, the squad, the backroom staff and fans enough as it was by pulling together that we hung in there.

“Like everyone we didn’t want things to end this way and we should never lose sight of what’s caused it.

“We all need to remember what this virus has done to our businesses, our clubs, our communities, our friends and family and make sure we never forget what really is important to us.

“There will no doubt be a lot of soul searching to come up with the fairest way to end the season and hopefully everyone will accept the final outcome.

“The sad fact is though that until we’re told otherwise the fear of relegation will hang over a number of clubs.”