League Two clubs agree to end the season as long as play-offs can be played

There are still many details for the EFL to iron out. Credit: PA IMAGES

League Two clubs have agreed to end the season but want play-offs to be played to determine promotion spots.

That was the unanimous view of club bosses who attended a virtual meeting with EFL Chairman Rick Parry on Friday [May 15] but it is yet to be ratified.

There are still many details to work through and much is dependent on what happens in the tiers above.

If promotion happens at least two teams from the South West will move up to League One, Swindon Town and Plymouth Argyle.

Exeter City Chairman Julian Tagg says League Two clubs have agreed that the current league positions would be taken, with the top three automatically promoted and the next four in the play-offs as usual.

He says the preference at the moment, is for the two play-offs to be played across two legs, home and away followed by a final.

This would all be subject to stringent safety arrangements and Julians says, "getting the play-offs played in some guise would be better than not playing them at all."

League Two's Plymouth Argyle would likely be promoted if the season is ended now. Their CEO Andrew Parkinson insists that the club has always been in favour of finishing on the pitch, but now they believe it isn't feasible.

Argyle haven't played at home since early March. Credit: ITV News West Country

  • League One

The League One meeting finished without a definitive outcome and talks are expected to continue over the next few days.

There is a group of six clubs who have publicly stated that they'll fiercely oppose any moves to finish the campaign now, Bristol Rovers is not among them.

  • 'Project Restart'

Earlier this week the government gave professional football the provisional green light for a June resumption of competitive fixtures behind closed doors.

The Premier League has been putting its efforts into 'Project Restart', a plan to make it safe for football to begin.

Following a conference call on Wednesday, it's understood Championship clubs are planning for a return to games in June, in line with Premier League plans.

Premier League football could begin again in June. Credit: PA Images

But for lower league clubs, where games are not routinely televised, playing without crowds would be a huge financial undertaking which many would struggle to afford.

The return of fans is still a long way off and most players in the lower leagues are on furlough. As time passes, the number of clubs calling for the season to end grows.

An end to the season would go some way in helping those clubs begin to budget and plan for next season, including dealing with players contracts.

There are around 1400 players across Leagues One and Two who will be out of contract at the end of June and at the moment, their futures can't be discussed with much certainty.

If the season has to end without play-offs, a decision on how relegation and promotion is decided will be required.

A frequently touted suggestion is to work out standings on an average points per game system, others have also suggested weighting home and away fixtures to take into account teams who've played more away matches so far.

Both methods produce similar outcomes and crucially the promotion and relegation places in the table shake out the same.

Points per game

In League One, ending the season now and applying a PPG system would have no impact on Bristol Rovers' position in the table.

They'd finish mid-table in fourteenth, not in contention for promotion but safe from relegation.

Finances though will be a big concern and calling time on the season now would certainly lessen the strain.

Bristol Rovers would finish mid-table with a PPG system. Credit: PA Inages

In League Two, Swindon Town would finish top, Crewe second, Plymouth Argyle would remain in third followed by Cheltenham and Exeter in fourth and fifth.

This would mean Swindon, Crewe and Plymouth would secure the automatic promotion places.

Plymouth Argyle's CEO Andrew Parkinson believes they'd be deserving of promotion without completing the season.

"We've played well, played attractive football, the attendances have been great, we've been a breath of fresh air this season.

"I would say that we do deserve that, all be it not in the way we would have liked to have done it.

"We'd have liked to have done it in front of fans of course, we would have liked to have been able to celebrate in that way, but times are very different at the moment."

The top of the League Two table based on average points per game. Credit: ITV West Country

Without play-offs, Cheltenham would be the fourth team moving up to League One.

It's clear why Exeter City - as well as Colchester and Northampton who would occupy the last two play-off spots - would want the chance to compete for the place.

It's particularly tight between Cheltenham Town and Exeter City, the current standings in League Two see Exeter above Cheltenham, with PPG the two teams switch places.

Meanwhile, Forest Green Rovers would finish tenth and owner Dale Vince had been among those pushing for the season to be finished on the pitch.

He believes Rovers could challenge for promotion and should be given the chance to do so.

The owner of Forest Green Rovers says they want to play the rest of the reason. Credit: ITV West Country

He told ITV West County, "I think it's entirely practical for us [the EFL] to adopt the kinds of measures the Premier League will and get games on safely behind closed doors and get our season finished."