Western League believes grassroots football season should be scrapped and declared null and void

Portchester's Steve Ramsey blocks a shot during his side's game against Wessex title rivals Alresford. If the Western League had their way, all grassroots football would be declared null and void in 2019/20. Picture: Keith Woodland

The Toolstation Western League covers most of the west country, including Gloucestershire and Wiltshire clubs.

The FA have invited the Western League, the Wessex League and other leagues at Step 4 and 5 level to an online meeting tomorrow to discuss the way forward for grassroots level in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis.

The Western League have today made their feelings known - insisting they don’t see promotion and relegation being decided on a points-per-game ratio as the right thing to do.

A league statement issued today said: ‘There are a range of possibilities and whichever one is finally decided upon, it is inevitable that some clubs and possibly leagues will be disappointed by the final decision.

‘The view of the Western League is that the current season should be abandoned and that no promotions or relegations take place. In effect making the 2019/20 season void.

‘The 2020/21 season then commence (hopefully on time) with league constitutions exactly as they were for the current season.

‘We see a problem with drawing a line under the season and then promoting and relegating clubs on a points-per-game basis.

‘Clubs placed just below the promotion places could rightly argue that with so many games left to play, they would have a realistic chance of promotion. Equally, clubs in a relegation position could argue that they could overhaul clubs above them with so many matches still to be played.

‘There would also be an issue with trying to hold play-off matches at a yet undetermined time in readiness for the 2020/21 season.’

The Western League’s view would no doubt be opposed by some Wessex League clubs, including AFC Portchester and US Portsmouth.

Managers Mick Catlin (Portchester) and Glenn Turnbull (USP) have already said seasons should be decided on a points-per-game basis - even though that would mean Portchester missing out on the Wessex Premier title to Alresford.

Meanwhile, in Scotland, the Highland League have brought their season to an early end and awarded the title to leaders Brora Rangers.

Rangers - who had six games still to play - are 13 points clear at the top and member clubs voted to confirm them as the champions.

The Highland League decision sets an intriguing precedent with the Scottish football authorities still trying to determine how to resolve the major issues up and down the country.

Locally, no league is as cut and dried.

Alresford are only four points clear at the top of the Wessex League Premier Division, and Christchurch would actually overtake them if they won their four games in hand.

US Portsmouth lead Division 1 by seven points, but second-placed Andover New Street have three games in hand.

In the Hampshire Premier League top flight, Infinity are seven points clear of second-placed Paulsgrove and 13 points ahead of third-placed Bush Hill.

But Bush still have four games in hand and also have to travel to Infinity - win all those matches and they would be top.

In Division 1, Denmead are three points clear at the top - but second-placed Moneyfields have six games in hand.

Regarding all four of those leagues, therefore, there is no guarantee the team currently top would actually go on and win the league.

That is why it could be controversial, with some clubs, if the league season was cancelled and clubs promoted and relegated based on current standings.