"THERE is a real desire to finish the season, given what happened last year, even if that means not finishing all the games and doing it on points-per-game (PPG). "
Ilkley Town's Richard Giles is adamant their West Yorkshire League (WYL) Premier Division campaign should reach a conclusion and not end up following the same fate as its predecessor.
The chairman's views come in a week where grassroots sport has been suspended due to the introduction of a third national lockdown.
Swimming pools and rugby, tennis, and golf clubs have all had to shut their doors once again for at least six weeks.
It also means clubs in step three and below of the non-league football system are not allowed to train or play.
Last March, the Football Association seemed to rush into cancelling the 2019-20 aforementioned campaigns while the rest of the pyramid, barring the Premier League and Championship who resumed, was sorted out by a PPG system.
Giles wants more clarity this time out and would not be against a formula deciding league positions if it ensured teams could go up and down.
He said: "I know speaking to the WYL that they want to have promotion and relegation, and I think that is true up and down the leagues.
"It is not healthy to have teams in the wrong division whether they are at the bottom struggling or the top.
"It is important that leagues are making it clear to clubs what they are going to use to finish the season.
"I’d expect them (the WYL) to consult with their clubs and take all their opinions on board. We have got a bit of time to do that.
"You’d want to see a collective decision across steps 3-7.
"Our chance of promotion depends on what the North East Counties League (the division above) do so it needs to be coordinated.
"We are hoping to play more games. There is still time if the season restarts late March or April.
"Two months, and we get midweek games as well, so you could expect to get another 10 games in minimum.
"At that point I think there would be enough games completed to finish on a PPG basis which is a fair representation on the quality of the teams."
The Baht 'atters were expecting to play this weekend.
Even hosting a friendly, which they won 2-1 against Farsley Celtic Juniors to follow up an impressive 7-0 hammering of Rawden Old Boys, on the day the lockdown announcement was made.
Giles has no worries that his first-placed club's players will take their eye off the ball if they are required to go again.
He added: "They are a very motivated group of players who want to achieve a lot so I’m sure they will keep themselves in good shape.
"The manager (Simon Armstrong) will keep in close contact with the players, like he has done in the last two lockdowns.
"They’ll be doing group challenges to keep them all involved while they can’t be together."
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