Diamonds boss Peaks is keeping things in perspective

Andy Peaks would love nothing more than to lead AFC Rushden & Diamonds into more match action this season.

But the Diamonds boss is maintaining a real sense of perspective as the Southern League faces the prospect of a second season in a row being declared null and void.

The Football Association are set to approach all teams at steps three and four of the pyramid across the country to see whether they believe campaigns might be finished amid the pandemic.

Currently, ‘non-elite’ football is suspended with the country placed under a nationwide lockdown earlier this month.

As things stand, the restrictions are to remain in place until at least mid-February with no chance of a training or playing return for clubs at steps three or below before then.

Boards from each of the Trident Leagues – Southern League, Isthmian League and Northern Premier League – stated last week that the season should ‘cease immediately and be declared null and void’.

Clubs in those three leagues, including Diamonds and Corby Town, are to be asked as to how the season should be concluded.

The FA will also be doing the same with all teams from steps five and six, including all clubs in the Uhlsport United Counties League, as they look to find a solution to finish the current campaign.

Peaks insists he would be “happy to look at any options” including the idea of splitting the leagues geographically and, effectively, playing half a season to determine promotion and relegation and to give players and supporters alike something to salvage from another difficult campaign.

But the Diamonds manager is well aware of the current situation and knows there are “more important things” going on in the world than football.

“Every club will be asked their opinion and it will be up to them how they respond,” Peaks said.

“My own personal view is that if we can get back and playing, even if it means splitting the leagues then why not? It would be good for players and supporters. I would be happy to look at any options.

“The problem is that if you look at things at the moment, you can’t see where we are going to go with it.

“It’s difficult for everyone but when you look at people who have lost loved ones, this is just football at the end of the day. There are more important things.

“None of us have experienced anything like this and, even taking the football hat off, we’ve never seen anything like this in life where you can’t see your grandchildren and you can’t see your parents and do all the things we take for granted.

“We all want to get back to some normality sooner rather than later and that goes for life in general as much as football. Hopefully, with the vaccines being done, that will happen soon.”

In a statement to all clubs, the Southern League’s operations manager Jason Mills said: “The Board of the Pitching In Southern Football League has, together with its fellow Trident Leagues, reviewed the implications of the latest government lockdown.

“In order to reach a decision that will apply across Steps three and four in the National League System, and which is informed by the views of all clubs at Steps three and four, clubs will shortly be asked by the Football Association to provide views on whether the 2020/21 season should be terminated and, if not, what the alternative should be. This will take the form of a short survey.

“Independent of that survey, all three of the Trident League’s Boards hold the view that the season should cease immediately and be declared null and void.

“The ultimate decision lies with the FA Council, following a proposal made by the Alliance Committee but no proposal will be drafted until clubs’ views have been collated and assessed.

“In the meantime, the Pitching In Southern Football League is postponing all fixtures up to and including Saturday, March 6 since there is no suggestion that the national lockdown will be lifted prior to said date.

“The league will continue to provide its Member Clubs with updates as and when it is able to do so.”

And, in a further statement to clubs at steps five and six, the FA said: “With the current restrictions in place, completing the 2020/21 season is becoming increasingly doubtful..

“We are mindful that the clubs and yourselves need to be advised as to what our plans are to see if there is any possibility to play out the season, or alternatively to be able to advise as to how and when the season is concluded.

“To this end, we decided as with steps 3 and 4, we will be issuing via yourselves a survey for the clubs to complete that will give us the information that we can consider to assist us making our recommendation to the FA Council as to how we conclude the season.

“Within the survey we are not asking the clubs to vote on any specific decision, we are simply using the survey to gather the views of the clubs.

“We are mindful from information coming back via yourselves that extending the season into June would not be feasible.

“We can advise this is also the view of the steps 3 and 4 leagues.

“Once we have received the results, the Leagues Committee will meet and make its decision upon a recommendation to the Council.”