Bedsente Gomis offers a player’s view on Hawks’ 2020/21 National League South season being declared null and void

The Hawks midfielder found out his club’s campaign had been brought to a premature end last Thursday following a null and void verdict.

In the National League resolution vote, a 25-18 majority of South and North division teams opted to finish the season with immediate effect following the loan funding crisis.

For Gomis, it was a situation he - and Hawks who voted to continue the 2020-21 campaign - did not want.

But the Frenchman, who moved to Westleigh Park from Dover in January 2020, remained respectful of clubs who said they were in no financial position to complete the season.

Gomis admitted: ‘It’s very difficult because it happened last season as well and now it’s happened again.

‘All the effort, all the work behind the scenes, is out of the window again.

‘There is nothing we can do. I understand the point of view of the clubs, they have to save their clubs as well, they can’t do it without the fans.

‘It is difficult for the players but it’s a situation that we just (have to) get through.

‘You can just try to stay in shape, do a little bit of running outside, a little bit of gym and whatever we can.

‘But at the moment it is what it is.'

Gomis conceded not being able to do what he 'loves' for a sustained period will prove difficult.

For a player who celebrates his 33rd birthday in April, having a second successive season cut short is far from ideal.

Hawks had only played 14 of their scheduled 40 South games in 2020/21 - 35 per cent of their fixtures. The most any club had played was the 47.5 per cent that Dartford, Eastbourne and Hungerford had completed.

There may be a sliver of hope with Hawks signing a letter addressed to National League general manager Mark Ives asking for the South and North teams who wanted to finish the season to be able to do so.

But Gomis acknowledged there is nothing else he or his team-mates can currently do other than make sure they keep themselves in the best shape possible.

He said: ‘You miss opportunities to play games and do what you love.

‘Now I’m going to be 33 in April so really I’ve missed two seasons, but there is nothing we can do.

‘All we can do is be patient and hope the season starts again and then we can go all through the season.

‘I always keep myself fit.

‘Now I know we aren’t going to play for a while you can get a little bit of rest because it’s nice to have a rest for your body.

‘You have to keep fit for your well-being and for yourself.

'It’s just about keeping fit so when the new season starts you’re in the best shape as possible.'