US Portsmouth and Fareham remain in FA Vase limbo ahead of Boris Johnson’s major lockdown announcement

Frankie Paige, middle, runs off after scoring for US Portsmouth in their 3-2 FA Vase third round win over Millbrook in December. Pic: Martyn White.

The competition has been paused since the third national lockdown was announced at the start of last month.

USP are due to host fellow Wessex Leaguers Christchurch in the fourth round if and when the tournament is given the green light to restart.

Fareham must travel to Plymouth Parkway in one of the three third round ties yet to be played. The winners have been drawn at home to Clevedon Town in the last 32.

‘We’ve heard nothing from the FA,’ said USP boss Glenn Turnbull.

‘I’m expecting our league to be declared null and void but I’m sure the FA want to complete the Vase.

‘The only comms we’ve had recently is the Wessex League asking if our ground could be used until the end of May.’

USP are still awaiting an answer from the Royal Navy but in a ‘normal’ year the answer would be no.

‘We’re usually off the pitch in April and then it’s turned into an athletics stadium.

‘After that, the Navy like to spend six weeks on maintenance etc before our season starts in August.’

If the Vase does restart in the spring and the Victory Stadium is out of bounds, USP have options.

Moneyfields have previously offered them use of their Dover Road facilities while AFC Portchester staged USP’s Vase second round tie with Bournemouth prior to the November lockdown.

Due to lockdown restrictions, USP have not played since beating Millbrook 3-2 in the third round of the Vase on December 19.

The FA are still waiting to stage the 2019/20 Vase final between Hebburn and Consett.

The EFL are hosting both last season’s Trophy final (between Portsmouth and Salford) and this season's final (between Sunderland and Tranmere) on successive days at Wembley next month.

The FA could, in theory, do the same for the Vase – as well as the FA Trophy - though one slight problem is that Hebburn, who are due to meet Consett in the 2019/20 final, are still in this season’s competition as well!

The FA do not have that issue with the FA Trophy final as both of last season's finalists – Harrogate and Concord – can’t reach the final this year; Concord because they’ve been knocked out and Harrogate because they're now an EFL club!

Following Boris Johnson’s announcement next Monday, non-league football could have a better idea of when it is able to restart.

In addition to the Vase, US are also through to the semi-finals of the Wessex League Cup, and league officials have confirmed they are keen to complete the tournament if at all possible.

USP’s Wessex Division 1 promotion hopes will be shattered again, though, if the FA null and void steps 3-6 for a second year running.

Their only hope then would be if the governing body decided to press ahead with the restructuring of the pyramid that was due to be in place for 2020/21.

Based on results since the start of last season, USP have the best points-per-game record in their division. Top of the table when 2019/20 was cancelled, they are currently fourth in Division 1 - and the top four clubs are due to go up.

Turnbull confirmed he has NOT applied for the vacant Moneyfields manager’s job. A former reserve team boss at Dover Road, he said: ‘It’s not for me – I’m not interested in the Southern League travel. I don’t enjoy going to Bemerton on a Tuesday, let alone somewhere like Bristol Manor Farm!’