Notts County’s remaining eight National League fixtures have been cancelled, it has been confirmed.
The Magpies are keen for an immediate return to the Football League having been relegated last season, but the conclusion of the 2019-20 season remains uncertain.
In a statement released on Wednesday, The National League said that member clubs voted overwhelmingly in favour of ending the current season.
It said that only 90 per cent of clubs had submitted their verdict on the vote but the strong majority favoured the season’s conclusion.
National League chief executive, Michael Tattersall, commented, “At a time when the entire country is wrestling with the devastating impact of Covid-19, the cancellation of the remaining normal season matches brings a degree of certainty to our clubs coping with the business implications of the virus.”
The Notts County board, however, expressed their “disappointment” over the cancellation of the current season.
A club statement explained the Magpies have provided a number of options in order for the season to be concluded – allowing for clubs in a promotion fight, including themselves, to rightfully challenge for a place in League Two.
They said: “We thank the National League for allowing us to submit our thoughts and hope they are duly considered by the board and its executive to enable them to provide a fair way of deciding these huge outcomes in the next stage of voting.”
The statement added: “In the meantime we look forward to hearing from the National League with regards to what the next round of voting will entail, with the continued hope that our fight for an immediate return to the EFL isn’t over.”
Professional football in England has been suspended since March 13 until April 3 before the Premier League and EFL extended that pause indefinitely.
The National League continued to play beyond March 13, with Notts County involved in a 4-0 victory over Eastleigh, but the top tiers of non league football followed suit in pausing their campaigns more recently.
County are 3rd in the National League standings, seven points behind leaders Barrow, and are also awaiting the decision as to whether their FA Trophy semi-final fixtures with Harrogate Town will go ahead.
By Matt Lee