National League waiting game goes on - and on - for Eastbourne Borough

But as far as Eastbourne Borough are concerned, it’s not been the case this week.

For as much as everything is changing in the world at the moment, nothing much has changed for The Sports – at least not in the past seven days.

Danny Bloor and his players are not really any nearer knowing what will happen to the 2019-20 season. The fact it makes little difference to them in terms of where they will be plying their trade next terms means that’s less of an issue for them than it is for many others in the three divisions of the National League.

The football authorities have decided that clubs from steps three to six - that’s those at Isthmian and Southern premier level down to the county league - should have their 2019-20 seasons written off and results expunged - to the dismay of sides like Hastings and Worthing, who were in line to win their respective divisions and go up.

But above step three, there is no news.

The FA and associated leagues and committees have yet to decide whether to cancel all that’s gone on for steps one and two, or indeed what to do about the Premier League and Football League, where there’s much more pressure on them to allow time for a possible resumption and finish for the unfinished business.

A National League statement from the powers-that-be on Tuesday said: “The National League Board met earlier today (March 31) and has reviewed its prior decision to suspend the competition until at least 3 April 2020.

“In consideration of the very serious and unprecedented national public health emergency caused by the coronavirus, the Board has taken the decision to suspend the National League, National League North and National League South competitions indefinitely.

“The National League is currently obtaining specialist legal advice, is consulting regularly with The Football Association and other stakeholders, and is committed to involving its member clubs in a pending decision on how best to conclude the 2019/20 season.”

The upshot remains the same - whatever decision is taken, Eastbourne Borough will be back in National South for the 2020-21 season, one we can only hope begins on time or close to it.

For now, Bloor and his staff and troops will just have to carry on waiting, and waiting, and hoping that football does resume some time soon.

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