By Andrew Warshaw
April 23 – The fifth and sixth tiers of English football – immediately below the four professional leagues – have voted to end the regular season at its current point but have controversially left open what happens with promotion and relegation which are still “under careful consideration”, fuelling an ongoing debate lower down the pyramid.
The league’s board had urged clubs in the National League and National League north and south to vote in favour of winding up the season because of coronavirus.
That has now happened with a “clear majority of clubs in favour” from the almost 90% of responses returned.
“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,” said National League Chief Executive Officer Michael Tattersall
The decision falls into line with the rest of English non-league football below the National League. Well, almost.
The difference is that whereas all results from day one have been expunged in minor divisions, there has been no clear indication of what the next steps will be in terms of deciding the conclusion of tiers 5 and 6, including end-of-season play-offs and promotion and relegation.
It hasn’t therefore technically ended the season completely, unlike the have-nots at lower-league level. Some teams in the smaller leagues had already gained promotion but this will now be cancelled as will relegations.
The same may still happen further higher up the scale, of course, leaving National League leaders Barrow for instance to suffer potential heartbreak over missing out on promotion to the dizzy heights of the Football League for first time in 48 years.
Notts County, playing in non-league football for the first time in their 158-year history this season, were third in the National League table at the time football was halted across the country in March.
“We would like to place on record our disappointment that the season has been brought to a premature end,” said a statement from their board of directors.
“While we appreciate the views of other clubs and respect the overall outcome of this vote as a representation of opinion across the three divisions, our stance has always been that the National League should operate in tandem with the EFL due to the intrinsic link between the two leagues. We were therefore opposed to this vote being imposed.”
York City, top of National League North by two points, agree with this stance.
A club statement said: “Throughout the process, York City FC has put forward a strong case to see promotions honoured and will continue to do so until a decision is made.”
But it surely has to be the same for everyone. If the likes of Barrow and York are allowed to go up, those lower down the pyramid will claim they should have been given the same option.
Take Northern Premier League Premier Division leaders South Shields FC who were set for promotion to National League North with a 13-point gap to second, but will now spend another campaign in tier seven of English football.
As usual money talks.
Just as Premier League clubs dwarf the rest of English professional football when it comes to financial clout, so the top non-league clubs are far better off than other grass-roots teams who have no broadcasting deals and have to rely solely on gate receipts.
It’s a tough equation and there are arguments on both sides which will take some time to abate.
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