Northern Premier League and North West Counties League's 2019/20 football seasons are cancelled with no promotion or relegation

The Northern Premier league and the North West Counties League 2019/20 football seasons have been declared null and void.
Bamber Bridge's Alistair Waddecar in action against South Shields earlier this seasonBamber Bridge's Alistair Waddecar in action against South Shields earlier this season
Bamber Bridge's Alistair Waddecar in action against South Shields earlier this season

An FA statement released this afternoon has officially confirmed that all the results of the 2019/20 from step three to step six will be expunged from the records.

The decision affects Bamber Bridge, Lancaster City, Clitheroe and Kendal Town in the Northern Premier League

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While Longridge Town, Charnock Richard, Burscough and Garstang ply their trade in the North West Counties' League.

It means there will be no promotion and relegation as the footballing authorities attempt to find a way forward in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

All football leagues across the country suspended the current season earlier this month.

The Premier League and the EFL appear intent on finishing their respective seasons, but the National League, which covers steps one and two of the non-league pyramid, indicated yesterday that they do not intend to re-start this season.

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Decisions regarding promotion and relegation within steps one and two have still to be determined, with Chorley and AFC Fylde - who are in the bottom four of the National League - affected.

The FA Statement said: "We have been working collaboratively with the National League System (NLS), the women’s football pyramid and the wider grassroots game since the outbreak of COVID-19 on how to conclude the 2019-20 season in the most appropriate way possible.

"These are challenging circumstances for English football and all decisions taken are in the best interests of the game and in consultation across key stakeholders. Our primary concern will always be for the safety and welfare of clubs, players, staff, officials, volunteers and supporters during this unprecedented time.

"Today’s steps take into account the financial impact during this uncertain period, whilst considering the fairest method on how the sporting outcomes for the season will be decided with the integrity of the leagues in mind.

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"The 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.

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"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."