Hartlepool United chief executive Mark Maguire analyses 'the most practical solution' to conclude 2019-20 National League season after coronavirus suspension

Josh Hawkes and Macauley Southam-Hales of Hartlepool United touch elbows after scoring their first goal during the Vanarama National League match between Sutton United and Hartlepool United at the Knights Community Stadium, Gander Green Lane,, Sutton on Saturday 14th March 2020. (Credit: Paul Paxford | MI News)

The fifth tier is currently suspended until next month with no clear return date in sight due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The FA announced on Wednesday that it is committed to finishing the 2019-20 season as Pools currently sit ninth in the National League table with seven games remaining.

Hartlepool are just three points outside of the top seven and will therefore be hoping the season is allowed to be played to a conclusion while they still have a chance of making the play-offs.

The 2020 European Championships have been postponed until next summer which allows football across Europe to continue subject to the coronavirus outbreak settling down over the coming months.

“There’s only guesses or ideas as to what might happen and everything that you stay relies on the virus coming under control at some stage and people’s welfare being protected,” Maguire said.

“From a purely logistical and operational point of view, in some ways the best scenario, assuming the virus is controlled, would be to have an extended break now of four or five weeks, Euro 2020 cancelled and the season to be extended into the summer.”

With nine matches taking place in the opening month of the National League season, non-league teams are familiar to playing a lot of matches within a short timeframe.

“With seven games left, we could finish our season in four weeks if we go Saturday, Tuesday,” Maguire added.

“Then we could have a mini closed season of three or four weeks so that we can start as near as possible to normal for next season.

“That would allow us to send players and staff off for a break now whilst the worst of the virus is around to isolate to take some time away, work from home, whatever the case may be.

“Then they can come back to a proper build-up to a re-start of the current season ideally in May, June time.

“That would seem the most practical solution to me but we don’t know what the situation will be with the virus down the line.”