Melton Town boss Manship questions future if FA scraps season

Uncertainty reigns as the Football Association and leagues attempt to come to a consensus over how to conclude the current campaign, stalled by the national coronavirus shutdown of sport.

The FA held a remote meeting with Step 5 and 6 leagues on Tuesday over the internet to discuss the way forward.

Reports emerged that a decision had been taken to end the season and that the FA would decide whether final league positions would be based on points per game, or whether seasons would be declared null and void.

Manship, who is recovering from knee surgery, said: “It would be devastating if they decided to null and void the season for so many clubs who have put so much hard work over the last year.

“Obviously everyone’s health and safety comes first, but this situation is far from ideal.

“It needs to be points per game (PPG). We are averaging 90 points a season over the last two years and we are where we are for a reason.

“In our league the top four and relegation already looks a foregone conclusion so it should stand as it is.”

Manship received an email from the United Counties League late on Tuesday confirming Step 5 and 6 seasons had finished, only to receive a further message from the league to say nothing had been decided.

In a rapidly evolving picture, a further update on Wednesday is understood to say a unanimous agreement had been reached to abandon seasons at steps three to six, but that the FA was split 50-50 over PPG or null and void options.

“It was a two-year project to get out of this league so if it’s null and void I don’t know if I’m prepared to do another season in Division One,” Manship added.

“I would have to reassess things with my family.

“We have had so much thrown at us; it’s been relentless. It’s just mentally draining.

“Only teams that have nothing to play for are saying null and void – it’s an easy get-out for them.”

Melton were on a 20-match unbeaten run in the league, stretching back to October, when the UCL suspended the season on March 16.

They sit third in Division One and needed just 15 points from their final 12 games to guarantee a place in the top four promotion places.

With games in hand on second-placed Long Buckby, a PPG calculation would likely elevate Town to second place in the final standings.

“I have spent hours and hours, week after week into this project, more than my main job,” Manship said after the latest update.

“I could understand null and void if we were in September or October, even January, but not in April when there are only 10 games left.

“We have mainly got the easier games to play and we’re still going to finish second (via points per game) and I would take that.

“We should have been out of this division last season, but I decided to be resilient and strong and try again.

“I don’t want to contemplate that it could all be taken away.

“I have missed my daughter’s games, I’ve spent lots of time away from my wife for this two-year project.

“I don’t think I could do another year if we had to start all over again.”

* For further updates, visit www.meltontimes.co.uk