Decision day looms for National League North season, as Chorley vow to continue playing

It’s business as usual at Chorley despite the National League North season being thrown into yet more turmoil.
Lewis Baines (left) and Harvey Smith (blue strip) in action against Gloucester City on Saturday
(photo: Stefan Willoughby)Lewis Baines (left) and Harvey Smith (blue strip) in action against Gloucester City on Saturday
(photo: Stefan Willoughby)
Lewis Baines (left) and Harvey Smith (blue strip) in action against Gloucester City on Saturday (photo: Stefan Willoughby)

For the second successive week, the Magpies featured in the only game to go ahead in the division when they drew 1-1 at leaders Gloucester City.

No other games were played with many falling foul of the cold snap, although in reality it appears the vast majority of the fixtures would not have gone ahead due to the ongoing saga surrounding funding.

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It was last month when several clubs in the division asked for a two-week suspension to the season after learning that a Government financial rescue package over the remainder of the campaign would be administered as loans rather than as grants.

Currently clubs are voting on whether to scrap the season with a deadline to submit their vote by the end of this month. In the meantime, the season was due to reconvene on February 6.

However, several clubs have already stated that they will not fulfil any more games until a resolution has been found. But in a further twist, those clubs have now been hit with charges from the league for failing to fulfil fixtures and may face sanctions.

The National League have tried to calm tensions by insisting no decisions will be taken until the voting has been decided.

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Chorley have already announced that they have voted in favour of continuing the season – and will press ahead with preparations to face York City this weekend.

However, a number of clubs have revealed they have voted to have the season declared null and void and the league is expected to release details of the voting shortly.

Chorley boss Jamie Vermiglio said: "We don't really know what is happening; what are the thoughts and feelings of other clubs.

"We at Chorley have made it known that if there is a league to be played, then we are happy and want to play football.

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"We want to continue with the league and all the players want to play football.

"But we are not sure of what's happening and all the ins and outs in terms of the voting."

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