WITTON Albion’s 2020-21 season is a step closer to being declared null and void.

The Northern Premier League have released a statement that they along with Trident League partners the Isthmian and Southern Leagues believe the campaign should cease immediately.

The suspension of fixtures has now been extended to March 6 after England returned to a national lockdown to combat rising rates of Covid-19.

While “elite” football – the National League North and South upwards – can continue under the new rules, all levels below have been forced to shut down for the second time since the season started in September.

The final decision on whether or not the season should be brought to an early end lies with the Football Association, who are now canvassing the opinion of clubs as to what the next steps should be.

The 2019-20 season was declared null and void last March when the pandemic first took hold.

“The board of the Northern Premier League has, together with our fellow Trident Leagues, reviewed the implications of the latest Government lockdown,” an NPL statement read.

“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 and 4 in the National League System, and which is informed by the views of all clubs at Steps 3 and 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, March 6, 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.”

The vast majority of clubs are yet to return to action following November’s lockdown.

The NPL had said a full fixture list would return on Boxing Day but after clubs raised objections, they were given the choice to opt out of playing over the Christmas period – an option most teams including Witton took up.