This fight is for football - not just for Hastings United

Hastings United are hoping their voices – and those of many other non-league clubs – are heard as they await an FA verdict on whether the season will be scrapped and results expunged.
Hastings topped the Isthmian south east division when football was frozen / Picture: Scott WhiteHastings topped the Isthmian south east division when football was frozen / Picture: Scott White
Hastings topped the Isthmian south east division when football was frozen / Picture: Scott White

The club stand to be one of the losers if the move to axe the 2019-20 season and all its results for non-league steps three to six is approved by the FA Council.

As of Thursday afternoon, more than 100 clubs across the country had backed a call for a rethink, with those protesting saying the authorities should either delay the decision or use a points--per-game calculation to work out final standings and allow promotion and relegation to be implemented.

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One of the strands of the crusade is that teams higher up the football pyramid, in the National League, Football League and Premier League, have not had their seasons and results written off in the same way.

Hastings CEO Billy Wood has been at the centre of the campaign for a change of heart, and a final decision on the way forward is expected soon.

Wood told the HUFC website: “On Thursday (26 March) we were shocked by the Football Association’s announcement that the 2019-20 season for clubs in the National League system from step three to six would be expunged, a decision we wholeheartedly disagree with.

“Since last Friday, we have been in dialogue with a continuously growing number of football clubs from around the nation, who all feel as strongly as we do when it comes to this position.

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“At this point, we as a football club wanted to make our position on the matter very clear. We strongly believe our season alongside the rest of step three to six can be concluded whenever safe to do so in line with step one and two of the National League System, The National League, National League North and South.

“We understand the uncertainty of when football can resume but for the integrity of the competitions with 70 per cent (in some cases more) already completed the completion of this season should be held in higher regard than the start of the 2020-21 season and we as a footballing pyramid should all be aligned with a recommencement and completion date, from the Premier League down.

“The decision to null and void our season without any consultation with the member clubs in such a hasty manner seems unjust, not to only the clubs leading their divisions but by each and every member club whose management, volunteers, players and supporters have given up their time and money.

“We understand at this point that the decision has yet to be ratified. We urge this decision to be reconsidered.

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“In the meantime we are spearheading the next steps with a host of other clubs to make sure that our voices are heard.

“This isn’t about Hastings United. This is about the knock-on effect across our non-league game.”

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