Why the National League ordinary resolution vote passing is important for Hartlepool United as Dave Challinor looks to execute pre-season plans

Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor applauds the fans after the final whistle during the FA Cup third round match at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford. PA Photo. Picture date: Saturday January 4, 2020. Photo: Darren Staples/PA Wire.

A lack of clarity over when football will be able to resume has caused the club to effectively put its business on hold whilst it attempts to combat the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

After three long months without football, there could finally be light at the end of the tunnel as the National League has announced the conclusion of the campaign.

Clubs have now voted on the National League's ‘ordinary resolution’ proposal and the outcome which passed on Wednesday evening.

League standings will be decided on a points-per-game basis and play-offs will take place behind closed doors.

With Hartlepool set to finish 12th on PPG, the outcome of the vote won’t impact the club significantly, but it will be a crucial step in getting the ball rolling in preparation for next season.

Pools have had to put potential signings and contract offers on hold as they await news on when the 2020-21 season will start.

Manager Dave Challinor said last month: “In reality, until we get a further announcement, we’re stuck where we are and we’ve got to put four or five different potential plans together on and off the pitch in terms of what we might do.”

While no official start date has been confirmed, the National League are reportedly hoping to be in a position to commence the 2020-21 campaign in September – something Challinor would welcome.

“I’m hoping for an autumn return,” he told The Mail.

“If we can do that we’d maybe lose the 10, 15 games you play around August, September time but it still gives you plenty of time to finish the season.

“It also provides a chance to be inventive, maybe at the expense of one of the cup competitions perhaps, that’s where I’d see things really.

“If you have a January start, with the Euros starting in the summer, then things would still realistically have to be finished around May time. Will we be able to finish a full season if we’re starting in the middle of winter, especially knowing what winter can be like here?

“The longer it goes for me, the more difficult it becomes which is why I think an autumn return could work.”

During Wednesday’s coronavirus briefing, DCMS secretary Oliver Dowden stressed that supporters would only be allowed to return to stadia without social distancing ‘if the public health situation allows it to happen’.

While the National League’s ‘ordinary resolution’ passed which allows future plans to be put in place, there is still a lack of clarity.

Due to the uncertainty over the sixth tier play-offs, clubs didn’t know exactly what they’d be voting for. Also, the financial commitments may see some eligible clubs opt-out of taking part in the play-offs which would cause further complications.

The picture is still far from clear, but things are finally moving in the right direction.