Peaks: Decision to cancel season was a no brainer

AFC Rushden & Diamonds manager Andy Peaks believes the FA were left with no choice but to call a halt to the football season and declare it null and void

The decision made by the governing body last week to cancel the campaigns in all leagues from Step 3 and below and expunge all playing records has caused controversy.

And the story may not be over just yet after more than 60 clubs from across the lower leagues signed an open letter to the FA in protest.

Legal action could even follow if the FA don’t reconsider their decision, which left a number of teams chasing promotion facing the prospect of having to do it all again.

However, speaking before news of the open letter being sent, AFC Rushden & Diamonds boss Peaks gave his thoughts.

Diamonds were still in with an outside shot of reaching the BetVictor Southern League Premier Central play-offs when matches were suspended.

But Peaks said: “For me, it was a no brainer and it was the only decision that could be made.

“It’s really unfortunate for teams doing really. We were in the position where we might have made the play-offs but we were never guaranteed promotion and we were never going to get relegated so it hasn’t had a massive impact from a playing perspective.

“I don’t think the authorities had any choice to be honest. You can’t extend our season because we are part-time and it’s not as easy as it would be for full-time clubs.

“I know there have been lots of ifs, buts and maybes and those who were doing well have, understandably, not taken it well.

“Even using points per game ratios, how could you say that one team had a tougher game than another. We love this sport because there is no such thing as predictability and especially with our league, no-one could say who would do what for the remaining matches.

“I think they were left with no choice in the end.”

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