Fleetwood Town chairman reflects on decision to curtail League One season

Clubs voted to end the season on Tuesday, using a points-per-game system to determine the final table.

That saw Coventry City and Rotherham United take the top two spots, as well as play-off places for Town, Oxford United, Portsmouth and Wycombe Wanderers – who jumped from eighth to third in the table as a result of the clubs’ vote.

Pilley had previously said that the EFL had to find a way of completing the 2019/20 season on the field.

However, in a statement on the club’s website, he said Tuesday’s decision was an ‘inevitable’ outcome.

“While I made no secret earlier in the process of my desire for the league to be completed in full, as time passed this became more difficult,” he said.

“With this in mind, I feel the clubs came to a sensible and inevitable verdict.

“We now face the prospect of a hugely exciting end to the season and Joey (Barton, head coach) and the team will be doing everything they can to give us the best possible chance of success.

“This has undoubtedly been the most challenging period of my time at Fleetwood Town and also for me personally with my group of companies, and one which will have a long-lasting effect on football and this country.

“Thankfully we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel and it’s been a huge boost to everyone to have our players returning to Poolfoot and training this week.

“I understand how difficult this has been for everyone, and I’d like to personally thank you for your understanding and patience in continuing to support us during this time.

“The loyalty shown by our fans, sponsors, and particularly our Onward Card holders, has been nothing short of incredible – I can assure you it will not be forgotten.

“While our play-off games will take place behind closed doors, we are hopeful a limited number of supporters will be allowed into the stadium sooner rather than later, and it will be those Onward Card holders who we will prioritise with access to the stadium first, whatever division we are in, so your loyalty will be rewarded.

“We are confident that our Onward Card holders will also be able to watch home games on iFollow next season, for any period they are unable to attend in person due to government restrictions as part of their benefits package.”