AFC Fylde owner David Haythornthwaite backs promotion play-off but no relegation after league season ends

But Haythornthwaite does not favour any other promotion or relegation, with his Mill Farm club second-bottom and liable to go down if the final table is decided on the basis of each club’s average points per game.

The Fylde chief was pleased the National League’s resolution to end the league campaign now was passed, though he was surprised by yesterday’s announcement.

The deadline for voting was still a fortnight away and 10 per cent of clubs were yet to vote, but in a statement the National League revealed that “a majority” supported the proposal in all three of its divisions.

The 68 clubs in the National League, National League North and National League South will next vote on the “sporting outcomes of the season”. It remains to be seen what options are put to the clubs, though play-offs are still a possibility.

Despite yesterday’s early announcement, Haythornthwaite does not believe the next round of voting will take place any sooner.

He told The Gazette: “Yes, I was surprised we got such a quick answer because I still think this will be driven by the Premier League, who will look to protect their own, so if they decide there is to be no relegation that cascades all the way down to us.

“So I think there could be a delay before the National League moves to the next stage, which is why the announcement yesterday threw me.

“But there had been a certain amount of pressure to make a decision because we are in a crisis. And this announcement means certain things can now happen in terms of clubs letting players go and starting to prepare pitches for next season.”

Looking ahead to the next vote, Haythornthwaite feels there are two clear options.

He added: “Let’s be clear, there are only two groups of clubs lobbying: the ones at the top and the ones at the bottom. Everyone in the middle doesn’t care.

“Two options definitely on the table will be points per game and declaring the season null and void.

“I’m no fan of points per game and I feel it would be criminal if we were relegated on that basis.

“I think null and void is not a bad option but it would be wrong to deny Barrow or Harrogate the chance of promotion, especially as there is a place available in the EFL because of Bury’s demise.

“We are in a crisis situation and so you can almost rewrite the rules, so my suggestion would be for Barrow and Harrogate to play-off at a neutral ground for a place in the EFL, but with no other promotion or relegation.

No fixtures have been played in the National League since March 14 and the regular season should have ended this Saturday.

Yesterday’s National League statement reads: “National League clubs were asked to support an ordinary resolution on April 9 to end the playing season for all fixtures scheduled up to and including April 25, 2020.

“With almost 90 per cent of responses returned, it is evident a clear majority of clubs are in favour, including a majority of clubs in each of the National League, National League North and National League South divisions.

“In the knowledge that the ordinary resolution has passed, the League’s Board has chosen to communicate the decision now and before the last few responses are received, which will not change the outcome, to enable clubs to make business decisions with greater clarity as soon as possible.

“Clubs yet to respond still have an opportunity to do so and the League wishes to include as many preferences as possible before the final voting result is declared.

“The options concerning the sporting outcomes of the 2019-20 season remain under careful and timely consideration, and further updates will be given in due course.”