Please see here the latest information from the Isthmian League and a statement from League Chairman Nick Robinson issued today.
At this stage, the League along with other Step 3/4 Leagues (Northern and Southern) are agreed they would prefer the season to be terminated now. The Step 5/6 clubs have already agreed this.
The Step 3/4 alliance have outlined proposals of how the season is to be completed but these need to be approved by the FA.
Steps 1/2 are keen for the season to resume and to finish but some clubs under the National League may not financially able to do this.
So at this point and once the FA have approved the proposed plans it doesn’t look like any more football this season for Cray Wanderers as the league feel that ending the season would be more beneficial than carrying on into the summer. More information will come in the next few days once clubs have been individually informed.
At this stage and with the situation in the country and the world has changed so profoundly since our last game on 7th March we would like to wish all our staff, management, players and above all our supporters well at this difficult time. Stay safe and remain at home if you are able to to help ease the burden on the NHS.
https://www.betvictoristhmian.co.uk/isthmian-league-stateme…
Here is the statement from Mr. Nick Robinson, Isthmian League Chairman
The Step 3 & 4 Leagues share Clubs’ frustration that it is taking so long to determine whether the 2019/20 season is to end now, and if so on what basis. To maintain the integrity of our competitions, we ideally need to apply one solution across the whole of the National League System. However, this may not be possible.
The Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Leagues are unanimous in wanting to terminate the 2019-20 season immediately. The Step 5/6 Leagues also support the immediate termination of the season.
Whether that is done on the basis of determining final placings via average points per game, or the season is declared null & void cannot be determined until the National League decides how it wishes to proceed.
Right now, the National League’s position is that they wish to be able to resume the 2019-20 season at some point. The feeder Leagues do not support this because our Clubs do not have the financial resources to continue to honour Player contracts indefinitely.
The Step 3 and 4 Leagues have therefore commenced the process to terminate the season. This has to be ratified by the FA Council, so there may be a short delay as the relevant documentation is submitted, distributed and approved.
Whilst this process is on-going, and once the National League has finalised how it wishes to proceed, competition issues can then be decided, together with the implications for promotion and relegation.
As soon as the National League’s position is finalised, we will be able to confirm the basis on which the 2019-20 season has ended. As I have already pointed out, we need as much commonality across the National League System as possible.
The FA is currently reviewing its Rules to understand whether any emergency changes are required for season 2019/2020 which impact on player contracts, registration deadlines and retention/offers of re-engagement in the National League System. Given the fast-moving nature of the existing situation this work is ongoing.
Finally, at this very difficult time, I hope that you and your families will stay safe.’
Once we have more information about this matter, we will bring it to you as quickly as we can.
