THE Northern League season has been extended after the Football Association gave their permission for an extra week of matches.

The persistent wet weather has led to a host of postponements at non-league level, and Northern League officials had feared it would be impossible for a number of clubs to complete their fixtures before the proposed date for the end-of-season play-offs.

The FA initially turned down the league’s request for an extension, but with more games having been called off in the last week, the governing body have finally relented.

The original end date for the Northern League season was May 6, which is a Bank Holiday Monday, and the league had initially planned to hold the Division One play-off final on that day.

Instead, the FA have given permission for matches to continue for another week, with all league and play-off games now having to be completed by May 11.

The FA have also said that all remaining fixtures can be reversed if necessary, meaning that if a pitch is unplayable, the game can be played at the home ground of the away team, as long as that ground is deemed to be in an acceptable condition.

Northern League chairman Glenn Youngman said: “Extending the season is an essential move, as otherwise it was difficult to see how some of our teams could have completed their fixtures.  Even with these changes, it will still be a challenge for some of them.

“As ever, we’re grateful for all the hard work by staff and volunteers at clubs as they try to complete their fixtures.  It’s an exceptional effort by them, in exceptional circumstances.”

Given the ongoing uncertainty over when some of the league’s remaining fixtures will be played, officials will continually reassess plans for the dates and timings of the end-of-season play-offs.