Pitching In Trident Leagues say season should ‘cease immediately’

The group of three step 3 and 4 divisions of the English Football Pyramid, the Isthmian, Southern and Northern Leagues, have released a statement saying the season should ‘cease immediately and be declared null and void’.

A statement, released on the Pitching In Southern League website, says it along with the Isthmian and Northern (known collectively as the Trident Leagues) will survey member clubs but: “Independent of that survey, all three of the Trident League’s Boards hold the view that the season should cease immediately and be declared null and void.”

The decision, it says, ultimately lies with the Football Association Council, but no official announcement will be made until clubs have been surveyed: “In order to reach a decision that will apply across Steps 3 & 4 in the National League System, and which is informed by the views of all clubs at Steps 3 & 4, clubs will shortly be asked by the Football Association to provide views on whether the 2020/21 season should be terminated and, if not, what the alternative should be.”

The Southern League, which numbers West Berkshire side Thatcham Town in its number, while Bracknell Town play in the Isthmian League, has said in addition, all fixtures are postponed until at least Saturday 6th March.

Response to the news has, as you’d expect, been wide and varied.