"Shambolic" - Chesterfield still not received voting papers to decide outcome of National League season

Clubs had been due to receive the resolution from the National League last Friday and votes were set to be counted at the end of Monday.

However, National League clubs - including the Spireites - are yet to receive them.

The National League board had been expected to propose that the campaign be decided on points per game (PPG) with promotions, play-offs and relegations taking place.

This would have seen Barrow promoted as champions while the six teams below them would battle it out in the play-offs in games played behind closed doors.

However, only bottom club Chorley would have been relegated from the fifth tier after it emerged that it would not be possible to proceed with the play-offs in the National League North and South divisions because the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) do not consider these divisions to be ‘elite sport’ so games can’t be played behind closed doors.

King’s Lynn and Wealdstone would still be promoted as champions of the North and South divisions.

But the decision not to have play-offs at step two has been heavily criticised and it is thought the National League is now seeking clarification from the government before sending out the resolution to clubs.

It has been reported that the government has not expressed a specific view on whether play-offs at step two can go ahead and that ultimately it is down to the National League to make a decision.

If the play-offs at step two can go ahead, then it is likely that AFC Fylde and Ebbsleet will be relegated along with Chorley.

Boreham Wood chairman, Danny Hunter, said the current situation is “shambolic.”

He added: “All clubs find themselves in a situation where we are seemingly now totally dependent on the interpretation of the National League’s board and FA, in regard to exactly what ‘elite sport’ is, as the government’s guidelines are clearly just general, not step two specific, and were clearly not meant to be taken as a one hat fits all scenario.”