South Shields facing prospect of seeing second consecutive season declared 'null and void'

The Mariners looked on their way to a four promotion in five seasons last year as they moved into a 12-point lead at the top of the Northern Premier League Premier Division table with just nine games left to play.

However, as the Covid-19 pandemic raged across the country, the Football Association ended the season for clubs in steps three to seven of the non-league pyramid.

All results and standings during the campaign were wiped from the history books and that scenario could be replicated over the coming weeks as the pandemic continues to disrupt the non-league fixture list.

With a third lockdown now in place, the Northern Premier League confirmed on Friday morning that they had postponed all league fixtures up to the first Saturday of March in a move that could bring a premature end to the season.

Member clubs such as South Shields and North East rivals Dunston UTS, Marske United and Morpeth Town are to be given a chance to air their views on how they feel their fixture lists should be completed.

However, in an agreement with their Isthmian and Southern League counterparts, the NPL have confirmed that they believe that the campaign “should cease immediately and be declared null and void.”

A league statement read: “The board of the Northern Premier League has, together with our fellow Trident Leagues, reviewed the implications of the latest Government lockdown. The matter was also discussed at length by the FA’s Alliance Committee earlier this week.

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

“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.

“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 Northern Premier League is postponing all fixtures up to and including Saturday 6th March since there is no suggestion that the national lockdown will be lifted prior to this date.

“The League will continue to provide its Member Clubs with updates as and when it is able to do so.”