Football season below the National League is over

The Football Association confirmed today that the seasons for Step 3 and below have now been concluded due to the outbreak of the coronavirus and that all results from the 2019-20 campaign will be expunged.

It means there will be no promotion or relegation of clubs between Steps 3 to 6 and no promotion to Step 2, which means Kettering Town now look set to stay in the Vanarama National League North for the 2020-21 season.

The FA’s statement also confirmed that grassroots football for this season is concluded to allow clubs time to prepare and plan for the new campaign.

However, the National League are yet to confirm how their respective seasons will finish, meaning the campaign might not be over just yet for Kettering and play-off chasing Brackley Town who play in the North.

Diamonds still had an outside chance of finishing in the play-off places in Southern League Premier Central, Daventry sat in mid-table in the Division One Central while, in the same section, Corby were set to secure at least a play-off place while also still being in with a chance of claiming the title.

The FA’s statement said: “The National League System (NLS) and the women’s football pyramid were able to build a consensus amongst their leagues and, where possible, aimed to create a consistent approach across all leagues, whilst taking into account the unique characteristics of each individual league.

“As a result, the FA and NLS steps three to six have reached a consensus that their 2019-20 season will now be brought to an end, and all results will be expunged.

“This will mean no promotion or relegation of clubs between NLS steps three to six, and no promotion to NLS step two.

“These decisions will also apply to the leagues and clubs who play at NLS step seven.

“We will continue to assist and support the National League (NLS steps one and two) to determine the outcome of its 2019-20 season as quickly as possible.

“The planned implementation of the restructure of the NLS will also now be deferred until the start of the 2021-22 season.

“Furthermore, we can now confirm that we have decided that all grassroots football is concluded for the 2019-20 season.

“This will allow the game to move forward and to commence planning for next season.

“Our County Football Associations (CFAs) will be supporting grassroots leagues over the coming days to determine how they should close out their current competitions.

“Where appropriate, the above decisions will be put to The FA Council for ratification.

“Throughout this period we continue to seek guidance in respect of the government’s financial support packages relative to COVID-19 and how they are applicable to clubs in the NLS, the women’s football pyramid and the wider grassroots game.”