WITTON ALBION will have to wait until at least January to return to Pitching In Northern Premier League action.

The league released a further statement in conjuction with the Isthmian League and Southern League after confirming last night clubs had voted to continue the pause of fixtures.

None-elite football can now resume after the national lockdown was ended but the NPL's pause will continue and be kept under review in the light of changes to the government's new tiered system of Covid-19 restrictions.

While Northwich has been placed in Tier 2, meaning fans can be admitted to games, 17 of the 22 teams in the Premier Division fall in Tier 3 areas.

Under the new restrictions, teams in Tier 3 at all levels of football will have to play fixtures behind closed doors.

The 2019-20 season was declared null and void due to the pandemic and the statement says concern is increasing that this season may not be resolved on the field.

Here is the latest statement in full:

Following the statement issued by the Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Football Leagues yesterday, further clarification can now be given in relation to the voting following the Zoom meetings held by all 3 Trident Leagues with their Member Clubs to discuss the impact of the raising of the lockdown on 2nd December.

There were 224 Clubs voting across the 3 Leagues and of these 172 agreed with the proposition to continue the pause in fixtures, 51 disagreed and there was 1 abstention.

Broken down by League, 57 Clubs in the Northern Premier League voted to agree with 4 disagreeing, 68 Clubs in the Southern League agreed with 14 disagreeing and in the Isthmian League it was much closer with 47 Clubs agreeing, 33 disagreeing and 1 abstention.

The “Agree” vote was therefore 76% and it has been agreed that the three Leagues will not sanction fixtures at this time.

It is intended that the situation is kept under review in line with Government review on the Tier allocations and restrictions. Accordingly, the next review is set for 16 December and then 30 December.

It is the hope of all the Leagues that a date in January can be set for a return to fixtures, with Clubs who wish being allowed to play before that date but this will not be until there is a change in the Tiers and/or some progress in the funding of the Clubs at this level.

The Government has allocated £25m to Sport England to fund Steps 1 to 6 of the National Leagues System, of which £14m is set for Steps 3-6 but is heavily weighted in favour of loans, not grants.

The FA is working tirelessly with DCMS and Sport England to have the funding presented as Grants.

However, these negotiations take time, and it is not expected to have an answer or clarification of details of even the loans until mid-January.

The deep concern of all involved in the NLS is that circumstances may mean that it is not possible to conclude the current format of competition in a manner in which promotion and relegation can be achieved throughout the whole pyramid with Step 2 being brought up to 48 Clubs and Step 4 brought up to 240 Clubs.

If, therefore, no progress is made by the Government on the Tiers in either of the two December reviews, it is the intention of the Alliance Committee to circulate those concerned with a survey to gather the views of the Clubs as how best to finish the season.

Options will include an alternative format competition and extending the season possibly into June 2021.

However the implications of all such proposals will involve the cost of players contracts and the ability of some clubs to continue playing because of other issues of grounds and the need to prepare grass pitches for the following season.

The Leagues are mindful of the needs of all Clubs and are striving to find a solution which is fair to all.