Wessex League clubs favoured points-per-game two months ago – will that still be the majority view now?

But they will get another chance to have their say when the Football Association canvasses views on how to bring the pandemic-wrecked campaign to a conclusion.

The governing body are preparing to send out a survey to all leagues at steps 3-6 of the non-league pyramid. That will then be distributed to all member clubs, including the 39 who make up the two divisions of the Wessex League.

The Wessex, following a request from the national FA, asked their clubs at the beginning of November how they would like the season to be ended if all the fixtures could not be completed.

Sixteen clubs voted in favour of a points-per-game methodology, with 14 choosing null and void - they were the only two options. Nine clubs abstained from voting.

Of the ones who voted for PPG, some clubs said a certain percentage of games had to have been played

‘Some suggested 60 per cent, some suggested 75 per cent,’ remarked acting Wessex League secretary Greg Dickson.

‘Since we asked them in November, the season has progressed a bit - some might have a different outlook this time.’

At present, Portland have played the most games (15) in the Premier Division - almost 40 per cent of their 38 league fixtures. Brockenhurst have played the fewest - 26 per cent (10 games).

In Division 1, Laverstock have played the most - 39 per cent (14 out of 36) - and Romsey Town the fewest (22 per cent, eight games).

Even if all 39 Wessex clubs voted for PPG, there is no guarantee that would be the outcome chosen.

All 14 divisions at step 5, as well as the 20 divisions at step 6, will report their clubs’ views back to the FA. If the majority want null and void, that will almost certainly be the recommendation that goes before the FA’s Council, who have the final say.

All clubs at steps 3 and 4 will also be canvassed for their views, though the three Trident Leagues – the Southern, the Isthmian and the Northern Premier – have already said they want 2020/21 declared null and void.

With the FA not having sent their survey out yet, they are unlikely to make a recommendation to Council until early February at best.

If the Wessex League is to be null and voided for a second successive season, Dickson is keen to see a cup competition taking place in March and April if lockdown restrictions have been eased by then.

‘You could have mini groups of four or five teams playing each other twice, with play-offs and a final,’ he explained.

‘It would bring some much-needed revenue into the clubs as they are really struggling at the moment.’

If the Wessex campaign is null and voided, the Wessex League Cup - which has reached the quarter-final stage - would also have to be officially cancelled.

But there would be nothing to stop the remaining ties being played, again when restrictions allow, as either ‘friendlies’ or as part of a re-titled cup. To all intents and purposes, it would be the 2020/21 Wessex League Cup in all but name.

Dickson, meanwhile, is concerned what some clubs could look like in a post-Covid world.

‘With the length of time football at our level has been stopped, some players might decide not to return,’ he said.

‘Also, a lot of clubs are run by officials and volunteers who are the wrong age. They might be a bit wary about returning.

‘I can see there being some major issues all round.’