Hartlepool United chief executive Mark Maguire discusses financial implications for National League not finishing due to the coronavirus outbreak

Victoria Park, Hartlepool (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

The current campaign, which sees Pools sitting three points off the final play-off place, is set to be scrapped though what happens with promotions and relegations remains uncertain.

The legal and financial implications could be significant with the EFL and Premier League still looking to play out their remaining fixtures.

Barrow currently sit four points clear at the top of the National League but could still be denied a return to the Football League for the first time since 1972.

“This season has to finish at some stage, whenever that may be,” Hartlepool chief executive Mark Maguire said.

“If that means it’s at the start of when next season would be, then so be it. It’s £100 million between the Championship and the Premier League, It’s £1 million between the National League and League Two.

“If you’re Barrow for example and you’re on the point of earning £1 million, are you going to allow the season to be cancelled when you’re in the position you are?

“Similarly if you’re Bristol City on the outskirts of the play-offs in the Championship, do you allow it to be cancelled with a chance of getting in there?

“There’s been a lot of pressure on the National League to be cancelling things, there were 15 clubs putting loads of pressure on them to keep playing on through this because of cash flow.

“It’s difficult but money will talk and they’ll need to finish the season at some stage.”

With the situation changing rapidly, it’s becoming increasingly likely that the National League season is already over but the divisions higher up remain in limbo.

“It’s still an uncertain time in terms of a return to football and particularly after the [lockdown],” Maguire admitted.

“It seems increasingly likely that it will be a longer delay before we see any football. It’s a situation which is under constant review and is a constant challenge essentially – it’s just unprecedented and moves a lot every day.”