National League chief executive Mike Tattersall discusses plans to start the 2020-21 season

Under normal circumstances, the new season was due to start on Saturday, August 8.

But the cancellation of the 2019-20 campaign and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic has prompted the National League to inform clubs that this date ‘will inevitably need to be reviewed and updated’.

Since the suspension of football back in March, clubs have been in the dark regarding what the future holds with Hartlepool United stating that they are unlikely to progress with player signings until a clearer picture has been provided.

In a letter to all member clubs, seen by the Hartlepool Mail, National League chief executive, Mike Tattersall, said: “The start date for the 2020/21 season officially remains as 8 August 2020, but this will inevitably need to be reviewed and updated.

“In establishing a new commencement date, the board will be guided by The FA, the season dates decided for the EFL, the views of member clubs and the plans of the rest of the National League system.”

There has been plenty of speculation regarding a potential restart date for the National League – this could be as late as early 2021 should social distancing guidelines remain in place.

And the league’s CEO recognises that clubs playing behind closed doors in the fifth tier would not be a ‘practical’ or ‘sustainable’ solution.

“As it stands, it is assumed that it is not practical and sustainable to commence the new season if matches are to be played behind closed doors,” Tattersall added.

“If this view is not shared by your club or you have a comment to make on this matter, please do get in touch.”

As it stands, the 2019-20 National League campaign may not be over just yet after the FA Council agreed to extend the season to allow play-offs to take place. This is subject to the EFL deciding whether to keep relegation from League Two in place.

EFL clubs will meet on June 8 to finalise how they intend to conclude the season which will, in turn, guide the National League’s course of action.

Tattersall continued: “The National League is in regular dialogue with the EFL and they remain supportive of maintaining promotion and relegation with the National League at the end of 2019/20.”

Any play-off matches that do go ahead would be played behind closed doors as the National League works with the FA and EFL on plans to get players back in training.

The potential logistical issues over deciding the final league standings as well as player contracts would also have to be addressed.

Harrogate Town, Notts County, Yeovil Town, Boreham Wood, Halifax Town and Stockport County currently make up the six play-off places. If the table were to be decided on a points-per-game basis, 11th placed Barnet would climb into the top seven at Stockport’s expense.