Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor discusses the challenges of concluding the 2019-20 National League season with play-offs

The regular National League season is over but there have been consultations with member clubs to see whether the play-offs would still go ahead.

All but three clubs across the three National League divisions responded with the majority opposed to the idea of going ahead with the play-offs.

Should the play-offs go-ahead at any point after June 1, the National League would have to seek FA approval.

But Challinor has doubts over a potential play-off decider as he told The Mail: “With the way things are, the finances and logistics are going to dictate everything and I don’t see how League One, League Two or the National League would be able to cope with resuming the season.

“Whether that’s with regular matches or play-offs, it’s going to be very difficult.

“In terms of what I think will happen, I’m of the belief that the season should be decided on sporting merit.

“I’m also very realistic where if I was in a position where my future or my club’s future was hanging in the balance based on what has happened, then I’d see it as sort of unfair that my team didn’t get to complete all its games – it’s a really tough one and there are arguments both ways.”

The situation regarding promotions and relegations remains up in the air as Barrow sit top of the table.

“What it looks like to me is that essentially, there will be one place available in the Football League which then becomes a discussion of how you go about that,” Challinor added.

“Barrow will claim quite rightly that they’re top of the league so should go up, Harrogate are four points behind and still had them to play so lots of things could still happen, but it’s all speculation.

“Regardless of what happens, there are difficult decisions to make and I wouldn’t want to be the one making the decisions.

“There’s going to be people who don’t think it’s as fair as what it should be but that’s always going to be the case.”