When will hopeful Harrogate Town get some news about their National League promotion chances?

Harrogate Town and their fellow National League promotion hopefuls will have to wait until at least June 8 for an indication of how 2019/20 will be concluded.
Harrogate Town were second in the National League standings when the 2019/20 season was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: Matt KirkhamHarrogate Town were second in the National League standings when the 2019/20 season was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: Matt Kirkham
Harrogate Town were second in the National League standings when the 2019/20 season was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: Matt Kirkham

The National League board is waiting to see what happens in the Football League (EFL) before determining its own issues of promotion and relegation.

But, with EFL members scheduled to vote on Monday on the proposed framework for curtailing seasons in the third and fourth tiers, Town should soon have a better idea of where they stand.

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Simon Weaver’s men were second in the table when competition was suspended in March, and would remain so if points-per-game ratio is used to determine the final standings.

The National League play-offs could still take place after the FA Council agreed to extend the season, but voiding 2019/20 also remains an option.

“We are still just waiting. It’s been a long time and obviously we are desperate to find out what is happening,” Weaver said.

“The FA agreeing to extend the season was a positive development from our point of view. Our aim has always been to try and go up on merit. We were one of the nine clubs who voted against ending the season.

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“It’s another potential avenue. Anything that allows us to reach an outcome is good. The one thing we don’t want to see is null and void.”

In a letter sent to member clubs this week, National League chief executive Michael Tattersall confirmed that ‘the EFL remain supportive of maintaining promotion and relegation’ and that play-offs will take place behind closed doors – if they go ahead.

And while he is very much in favour of them being held, Weaver feels that there is plenty to be discussed before any votes are cast on the matter.

“Before we vote, I think we need everything laid out in front of us,” he added.

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“We need to understand the full implications of the situation and whether it is feasible for every team who qualifies for the play-offs to compete in them.

“There is a lot to be debated. Boreham Wood [fifth in the table] didn’t want play-offs, they wanted null and void. So what happens there?

“So far, when it’s come to voting, we’ve not been sure about the next stage until we’ve got through the one before.

“I think we need to know what the implications are if the majority vote against the play-offs. Are we then deciding the season on points-per-game, or looking at null and void?

“It’s a tough one.”

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It would appear that for two teams to be promoted from the National League for 2020/21 - whether that be determined by holding play-offs or points-per-game ratio - then League Two will have to relegate the side who finish bottom of the fourth tier.

League Two members initially indicated a preference to abandon demotion this term, though the EFL has subsequently stated that promotion and relegation must still take place for the ‘integrity’ of the game.

The EFL did however say that the 24th-placed side in League Two would only go down if there were ‘assurances that the National League will start 2020/21 - i.e. the relegated club in League Two has somewhere to play.’

Weaver doesn’t see this being an issue.

“I think the season will start, it’s just a case of when,” he said.

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“The league will need financial help because crowds at our level drive the game and fund it, and it’s looking like 2020/21 will start behind closed doors.

“So, you’d expect there might be a delay to the start date, but I think that there will be a season.

“We’ve been seeing less new cases of coronavirus, and less deaths, so hopefully things are now starting to head in the right direction.”