Thursday 25th February 2021

Following the decision of the FA's Alliance and Leagues Committees, the 2020-21 league season for steps 3-6 of the National League System will be curtailed with immediate effect. This impacts the Hellenic League Premier DIvision, in which Royal Wootton Bassett Town's first team plays.

This is still subject to approval of the FA Council. However, it is fully expected that they will ratify the decision.

The outcome followed a consultation process involving clubs across steps 3 to 6, in which more than three-quarters of all clubs who responded indicated a preference to curtail the leagu season if it could not be restarted with limited spectator numbers and hospitality before 1 April 2021.

In light of the government's announcement of its roadmap to ease lockdown on Monday, it became clear this would not be possible.

The decision means that two consecutive league seasons have now been brought to a premature end.

Discussions are ongoing within the FA Council regarding whether to revisit the planned restructure of steps 4 to 6 of the National League System though.

This restructure was initially meant to be implemented for the 2020-21 season. However, this was delayed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic leading to the 2019-20 season being declared null and void, thus meaning promotion and relegation between steps could not be determined.

Please note the decision to curtail the season currently only applies to the club's first team.

A decision about the Development team's campaign will be made by the Wiltshire League in due course. Meanwhile, clarification from the FA is also expected regarding whether the Ladies' team's South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division season - part of the women's football pyramid - will continue or not.

Last modified on Thursday 25th February 2021 at 10:21.