IT IS looking increasingly likely that the 2020/21 Wessex League seasons will be declared null and void, after the latest statement from the league’s board.

Last week, the board issued a statement “with regards to the continuation, or otherwise, of the 2020/21 league season, given the latest position concerning the COVID-19 pandemic”.

It said that the Board of the Pitching In Southern Football League has, together with its fellow Trident Leagues, reviewed the implications of the latest government lockdown.

The matter was also discussed at length by the FA’s Alliance Committee.

The Southern League statement added: “In order to reach a decision that will apply across Steps 3 and 4 in the National League System, and which is informed by the views of all clubs at Steps 3 and 4, clubs will shortly be asked by the Football Association to provide views on whether the 2020/21 season should be terminated and, if not, what the alternative should be”.

This will take the form of a short survey.

The statement went on to say that independent of that survey, all three of the Trident League’s Boards hold the view that the season should cease immediately and be declared null and void.

When the Wessex League’s were paused, Andover Town sat seventh in division one on 19 points from 12 games - New Street were 12th, with 15 points from 12 games.

Whitchurch United were in the bottom three of Division One - 17th on nine points, level on points with Romsey Town in 16th.

The ultimate decision lies with the FA Council, following a proposal made by the Alliance Committee, but no proposal will be drafted until clubs’ views have been collated and assessed.

In the meantime, the Pitching In Southern Football League is postponing all fixtures up to and including Saturday, March 6 since there is no suggestion that the national lockdown will be lifted before that.

Beyond that, it seems the season will be declared null and void.

The league said it will continue to provide its Member Clubs with updates as and when it is able to do so.

Mark Frost, Leagues Committee Chairman, added that the FA remain in constant dialogue with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and Sport England, regarding the £14m winter survival fundin.

The FA are said to be “pushing very hard for this to be in the form of grants as opposed to loans”.