The future of this season for the South-West Peninsula League should be decided within the next fortnight but it is a case of waiting on news further up the pyramid.
While it seems inevitable that this current campaign cannot be completed in normal fashion, the ongoing debate at National League level means that divisions below this tier, such as the Southern League, Western League and Peninsula League, are left in limbo.
Clubs in the National League South and North have responded with understandable negativity to Government plans for any future funding to come in the form of a loan, rather than grants, and the cancellation of their season would have a ripple-down effect on the football pyramid.
“The FA issued a statement last week to say that the survey of local clubs has been completed and they are now looking at recommendations before communicating with the league,” said Peninsula Secretary Phil Hiscox.
“Decisions have been delayed for us at Step Six in the football ladder and we are waiting to see what happens in the National League.
“I don’t think it will make any difference on whether we play again in the league this season, that ship has probably sailed, it’s just whether they try to come up with a formula for promotion and relegation.
“If the leagues above us don’t finish their season, there will be no point in coming up with a formula for the Peninsula League.
“I don’t think this season can count for us because it was voided last year with more games played than this time around - the FA have set a precedent on that.
“There is perhaps mileage in rolling over this season into next season, particularly if Covid is around to cause more disruption next winter because we could be in the same boat in 12 months time.”
It is extremely tricky for league officials like Phil Hiscox and his counterparts across the country.
The general feeling from the majority of clubs appears to be that voiding the season is the fairest option but it does mean we would enter the 2021/22 campaign hoping for a third time lucky.