Peterborough Sports boss Jimmy Dean is a man with a plan to rescue the 2020-21 Southern League campaign, but the league is recommending a second successive null and void season

But it might be too late to save the season as the Southern League and other step three football divisions have shut down their competitions until at least March 6.

The League committee is now recommending their competition is declared null and void for the second season in a row.

The ultimate decision lies with the FA Council and the Southern League will not put forward a proposal until their clubs have been canvassed.

But Dean, whose side have played just six Central Premier Division games in the current campaign, believes the season can still be rescued - if there is a collective will to pull it off.

He described making a decision to call the league off in January as ‘nonsensical.’

Dean’s idea is to split the 22 Premier Division teams into two geographical-based divisions of 11.

They would play each other twice (20 games) in a 12-week period (April-June) with the winners of each division allocated the two available promotion places for the National League.

The bottom two teams would be relegated with a third relegation place decided on a points-per-game basis.

“Why even think about making a decision in January?” Dean asked. “They really don’t help themselves do they, I personally can’t see the FA agreeing to a final decision now, it’s completely nonsensical.

“There’s always a way to resolve these things if there is a big enough will. My idea is not perfect, but it’s something to work with. If the clubs wanted to include the results of the matches already played against teams who would be in your division than I’d take that as well.

“The bottom line should be a desire to play football. If we employ strict Covid rules and we play behind closed doors then I don’t see young, fit athletes adding to Covid problem.

“I fully understand why some people are very nervous about playing on, but they wouldn’t have to if they didn’t want to. “I also understand clubs would lose out financially if there were no fans, but I’ve already asked my lads if they would play for expenses only and 95% of them would.”

Possible Premier Division Central split: Midlands - Coalville, Stratford, Rushall, Tamworth, Redditch, Stourbridge, Nuneaton, Alvechurch, Bromsgrove, Hednesford, Barwell.

South/East - Peterborough Sports, Needham Market, Royston, Kings Langley, Hitchin, St Ives, Rushden & Diamonds, Lowestoft, Biggleswade, Banbury, Leiston.