Hampshire Premier League will ‘look at the bigger picture’ with regards to restarting 2020/21 season in April

But whether that is logistically feasible will almost certainly depend on the Football Association allowing them to extend the pandemic-scarred 2020/21 campaign into June.

Normally, the HPL season would end in late April but the FA are believed to be happy to extend seasons where possible.

A precedent was set last year when they allowed the National League to stage their play-offs in July.

The main difference this year, though, is the FA would be looking for the 2021/22 seasons at non-league and grassroots levels to begin in August.

HPL secretary Steve Smith told The News that the league’s committee will meet virtually next Monday to engage in a ‘healthy debate’ about the way forward.

From that, a proposal would then be put to the league’s 31 clubs.

‘Then it’s up to them what to do - you can lead a horse to water but you can’t always make it drink,’ said Smith.

‘We did ask the clubs what they wanted to do, and if you included second choices the majority wanted to play on.

‘Of the 31 clubs, 29 replied, one abstained and one didn’t bother to vote.

‘There were differing views.

‘For those clubs at the bottom not going anywhere, do they want the hassle of starting up again?

‘Those at the top hoping to win promotion will want to play.

‘Clubs will only vote for themselves rather than seeing the bigger picture, but the management committee will be looking at the bigger picture.’

Of the 29 clubs’ first choice options:

Eight wanted to play on until the end of June; Six wanted to play each other just once; Six wanted to null and void the season; Nine were keen to see a points-per-game ratio over the last two seasons implemented. If they did, Infinity - who haven’t lost during that time - would be declared champions.

‘I think the committee’s view is that we would like to complete as much of the season as possible,’ Smith continued.

‘Derek (Hawkins, fixture secretary) is currently looking at the dates available and what’s logistically possible.

‘There’s talk of being able to play in June, but some of the clubs - Locks Heath, Broughton, Michelmersh - will lose their pitches to cricket.

‘We’ve talked about playing games on 3G pitches, but then that’s a cost involved to the clubs.

‘We’ll look at every scenario from the clubs’ point of view and a logistics point of view.’

If games restarted on April 10, allowing for almost a fortnight of training, clubs could play 15 games between then and the end of May based on two matches a week. But even if they all did, only two of the 31 clubs - top flight pair Locks Heath and Overton - would complete their seasons.

Therefore, the league would need to extend into June to ensure all fixtures were played.

Liphook have 21 games left to play, the most of any HPL club. In order to fit them all in, they would need to play twice a week until Tuesday, June 22.

The question has to be asked: How feasible is that?

‘You have to think about next season as well,’ said Smith. ‘Even if we could stretch into June, what would clubs say about playing until the end of that month and then being told ‘we’ll see you in four weeks for the next one’?

‘It’s not a snap decision that’s required here, we need to talk it through.’