National League seasons are officially ended

Paul Cox's bid to keep Kettering Town in the National League North has been successful after the season was officially ended. Picture by Peter Short

The decision to end the National League and North and South campaigns was confirmed in a statement this afternoon (Wednesday).

The league had asked clubs to support an ‘ordinary resolution’ earlier this month to end the playing season.

And, with almost 90 per cent of the responses returned with the clear majority in favour, the decision to finish the campaign early due to the Covid-19 outbreak has now been confirmed.

However, the league will now be looking at how they determine the ‘sporting outcomes’ with the statement released saying that those options “remain under careful and timely consideration”.

National League chief executive officer Michael Tattersall said: “At a time when the entire country is wrestling with the devastating impact of Covid-19, the cancellation of the remaining normal season matches brings a degree of certainty to our clubs coping with the business implications of the virus.”

It seems the league are likely to either null and void the season or decide the final placings on points per game ratios.

Either way, it means Paul Cox’s rescue mission at Kettering Town will have been successful with the Poppies’ points per game ratio set to keep them above the relegation zone.

Brackley Town, however, face a more anxious wait.

Should points per game ratios be used, they will finish in the play-off places and will then have to wait and see how those might be played out in the future.

The rest of non-League football from Step 3 and below had already ended their seasons with the Football Association deciding to null and void all leagues with playing records for the 2019-20 season being expunged.