Playing each other once only could save the United Counties League season

Peterborough Northern Star (stripes) in action earlier this season.

The UCL are not currently planning to follow the lead of step three and four football leagues by recommending no more football because of the ongoing Covid pandemic.

Competition chairman Alan Poulain insists they will wait and see the state of play when the current lockdown period ends. The next tier review is scheduled for the middle of February.

Peterborough Northern Star, Deeping Rangers. Holbeach United, Pinchbeck United, Bourne Town, Blackstones and Whittlesey Athletic are the local clubs who play at UCL level.

Poulain said: “We had a chairman’s meeting with other leagues and there were calls on the Football Association to step up and take a lead on decisions. Playing each other at least once is the key to end of season decisions.

“There was not one league who wanted a null and void decision again and a lot were looking towards completing seasons if all leagues could play 50 per cent of their scheduled fixtures. Playing each other once in other words.

“We just have to keep our fingers crossed that the season can resume in March or April in some form.”

Deeping and Bourne haven’t played a UCL match since October 17 and Holbeach have been out action since the start of November.

Pinchbeck, Blackstones, Whittlesey and Peterborough Northern Star did manage to complete fixtures in December.

A null and void season could suit Pinchbeck and Northern Star as they currently fill the bottom two places in the Premier Division with two points and no wins apiece.

The Peterborough & District Football League have made no comment on their plans for the immediate future.

They are believed to be adopting the same wait-and-see approach as the UCL. The Peterborough & District Junior Alliance, the Peterborough Youth League and the Peterborough Sunday Morning League have also been quiet with regard to their plans.

All the local leagues were abandoned towards the end of last season, although the Peterborough & District League did promote teams based on a points-per-game basis.