PPG, potential play-offs or void? How the National League want to decide the 2019-20 season and how it could impact Barrow, AFC Fylde, Hartlepool United and more

Last week, National League clubs including Hartlepool United, voted in an overwhelming majority to end the season after a month-long suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hartlepool United sit ninth in the table with their final seven matches of the campaign cancelled.

While it won’t significantly impact Pools, a decision must now be made regarding how to conclude the season and whether promotions or relegations will be honoured.

Non-league steps 3-7 have already been voided with their results expunged.

There is a possibility that the National League could follow suit but that is not believed to be the preference as discussions continue.

Pools chief executive Mark Maguire suggested that the National League still want to find a conclusive way to decide the season following its official cancellation.

“[The National League] want to find a way of finishing it,” Maguire told the Mail.

“Whether that be with some play-off games or not remains to be seen, but that seems to be the preference.

“There are a few teams that want it voided in their own self-interest – the teams at the bottom – but there seems to be a willingness or a desire to conclude things in some way, shape or form.”

The cancellation of the season provides the majority of clubs with some degree of clarity by allowing them to look ahead to next season, though it remains unclear when that will be.

A prolonged period without football means the future of non-league clubs hangs in the balance – some more than others.

Along with battling a lack of income, teams at the top and bottom of the division face an anxious wait to see how the season will conclude.

AFC Fylde chairman David Haythornthwaite has been vocal to have the 2019-20 season voided – though his side would face relegation if the season was determined on a points-per-game (PPG) basis.

Unsurprisingly, top-of-the-table Barrow have a contrasting viewpoint as they could potentially be promoted to the Football League.

"Anything other than us being promoted would be being harsh," Bluebirds boss Ian Evatt told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We've proven we were the best team over a long period of time. We were top for more or less five months and no one has really got within punching distance.

"Obviously it's bittersweet because we would have liked to have finished the job properly and have our fans see us lift the trophy.

“But I said to the players that one thing no one can take away from us come the end of the season – we were top of the league, so credit to them."

PPG would see Pools finish 12th in the National League, which would be their first top-half finish since they were promoted from League Two in 2007.

Finding a formal conclusion and honouring promotions and relegations seems to be the way things are leaning at the moment. Clubs would be invited to take part in a play-off process if decided.

No timescale is in place regarding the decision, though if any play-offs take place after June 1, FA approval will be required.