SEASON OVER!: 2019/20 campaign declared null and void

Thursday 26th March 2020

Taken from: BetVictor Southern League website

The FA and Leagues at Steps 3 to 6 have reached a consensus that the 2019/20 season for Steps 3 to 6 will be ended with immediate effect and all results will be expunged.

This will mean that there will be no promotion or relegation of Clubs between Steps 3 to 6, or relegation from Step 2.

In light of the above, these decisions will also apply to the Leagues and Clubs at Step 7 of the National League System.

The FA will continue to assist and support the National League (Steps 1 and 2 of the NLS) to determine the outcome of the 2019/20 season.

Consideration was given as to whether the season could be extended indefinitely, or to some later date in the future in order for it to be completed. However, given the current uncertainty regarding when it will be possible to resume competitive football in England, and the fact that many clubs and contracted players want certainty over when football will resume, this option is likely to present great difficulties for football between Steps 3 to 6.

On the basis that the season is ended now, consideration was given as to whether a mechanism should be used to calculate final league tables and preserve promotion and relegation between Steps 3 to 6. Whilst inevitably some clubs will favour this option and the merits of this option have been fully considered by The FA and the leagues, it has been decided that this is not the best option to serve the particular needs of Steps 3 to 6 of the NLS.

The planned implementation of the restructuring of the NLS will be deferred until the start of the 2021/22 season. The decisions reached by the NLS leagues will be recommended to the FA Board and FA Council for final ratification.