Leighton expecting the season to be declared null and void

Leighton Town acting chairman Steve Harris believes the 2020/21 season will end up being declared null and void.

The early stages of the season had suggested a promising time ahead for Leighton with seven wins from their first 10 Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division matches while they had also reached the fourth round of the Buildbase FA Vase before things came to a halt.

But, with matches seemingly no closer to resuming at the current time, there appears to be an acceptance that a second campaign in a row will be ended with no records of it to be kept.

Clubs from Step 3 and below were recently asked to fill in a Football Association survey so the governing body could come to a decision.

However, it remains unclear as to when that decision will actually be made.

Harris, who has been in the role of acting chairman since Alan Penman stepped down in September, said: “I think it’s inevitable in view of the number of games that have been played.

“We have only played 10 league games but we would happily be promoted on points per game because we would be top from that perspective! But we are behind on that because we are still in the FA Vase.

“I think it will end up being null and void but it also depends on what the Football Association wants to do because I know there is some restructuring they want to do.

“There has been the survey but we are probably a bit cynical in that the FA will decide what to do, almost irrespective of what the clubs think.

“But have had absolutely nothing in terms of a timescale of when this will all be resolved.

“I have had some supporters texting me and asking what’s going on but they all know as much as I do.”

The lack of football hasn’t done a great deal for non-League clubs across the country with many, no doubt, feeling the pinch in terms of finances.

Clubs between Steps 3 and 6 have been given the chance to apply for government grants to help see them through the winter but Harris is comfortable with how things are at Bell Close.

“We have just had quite a lot of work done in the clubhouse, during the previous lockdown and that is all done,” he added.

“So, as a club, we are all keyed up and ready to go again.

“There is now another grant out there for us to apply for but financially, I am not worrying unduly. I am not desperate to put a Crowdfunding page out there.

“The club hit the buffers around five years ago but since then it has been turned around and we have done a couple of hundred pounds worth of ground improvements and we’re quite financially stable. We are pleased with where we’re at.”