This is when Hartlepool United and National League clubs must vote by to decide how season ends

National League clubs - including Hartlepool United – have until May 7 to cast their vote on how the season should end.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The 2019-20 campaign has been suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak and no games have been played since March 14 in the fifth tier.

The National League board has come up with a proposal - which they are recommending all clubs in the top three divisions (National League, National League North and National League South) approve.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

That proposal is to cancel all fixtures up to and including April 25.

Victoria Park, home of Hartlepool United.Victoria Park, home of Hartlepool United.
Victoria Park, home of Hartlepool United.

It was originally thought a decision could be made as early as this week but it has since emerged that clubs have until early next month to cast their vote, though the National League are understood to have urged clubs to return their votes as soon as they can.

If approved, then another vote will determine how the leagues are settled in the North and South divisions and then the National League, with promotion/relegation play-off games one option being considered.

The National League hope to move to that stage of the process as soon as possible.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pools are currently ninth in the National League table, two places and three points adrift of a play-off spot having played 39 games before the season was suspended indefinitely.

A letter sent to clubs at the end of last week from the National League board, seen by the BBC, said: "The board has approved an ordinary resolution for clubs, that the playing season shall immediately end for all fixtures scheduled up to and including 25 April 2020. The board recommends clubs vote for this resolution.

"If the ordinary resolution is passed and the remaining 'normal season' league matches of the season are cancelled, the league will then immediately proceed with a poll of North and South clubs to determine the outcomes of the season across those divisions.

"This will be followed by a vote to determine the outcomes of the season in the National Division.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.