THE dreaded 'null and void' conversation has cropped up again, with Brighouse Town's Northern Premier League North West Division campaign now in serious doubt.

The NPL board have declared that there will be no fixtures until after March 6 at least, and are keen to have the season scrapped, but will liaise with clubs first.

Step 5 and 6 clubs like Thackley, Liversedge and Silsden (Brig are Step 4) will be surveyed by the FA regarding deciding their seasons, as the NPL's decision looks set to affect them and regional feeder leagues at Step 7, like the West Yorkshire League Premier Division.

The FA's League Committee has noted for Step 3-6 leagues, extending the season into June 'would not be feasible'.

If the NPL was declared null and void, it could also impact Guiseley and Bradford (Park Avenue), as it would likely mean neither could be relegated from the National League North.

Speaking about the very real possibility of a second season in succession being scrapped, Brighouse manager Vill Powell said: "We've been a keen advocate of getting the season completed, so it would be a massive disappointment if null and void was the case.

"But we understand the position of the league and other clubs in it.

"Plus the logistics of finishing it now will be very difficult if we can't play until at least March. We still have 28 league games left and others have more than that.

"Another consideration is the lack of fans and revenue at the moment.

"We couldn't have predicted we'd still be in this position with the coronavirus pandemic in January when we started the season, and null and void might be the only realistic option on the table now."

Asked about the prospect of being involved in a local pre-season tournament in a few months, as opposed to league action, Powell said: "We'd have to sit down as a club and look at any possible tournaments.

"But we have no revenue streams at the moment and the players have been out of action for a lot longer than usual.

"I want us to keep having fixtures to build up to the 2021/22 season and the players need football, so local tournaments are something we'd be keen on.

"We'll have to see what happens though."

Brighouse have only played eight league games in the 2020/21 season so far and sit third-bottom.

Asked why they had been struggling, Powell said: "We had a great pre-season, but then lost an FA Cup game we should have won (a defeat on penalties to Runcorn Town).

"We should have won our opening league game against Clitheroe too, but we had a key man in Tom Haigh sent off and lost it late on.

"Losing Tom, and then Shiraz Khan soon after, seemed to destabilise us, as we have a strong starting XI but an inexperienced squad at this level.

"Injuries and suspensions can affect anyone, and having got key players back, we've gone unbeaten in our last two league games."

Giving his take on the season, Brighouse chairman James Howard added: "For us, it's not just about providing entertainment with the football.

"We see ourselves as giving a platform for mental health, being able to offer people a good feeling when they get to go along to games.

"We've not really been able to provide that this season, which has been frustrating.

"We've still got our fingers crossed for our traditional pre-season home friendly with Bradford City in front of fans this summer, which should be a good occasion.

"It's nice that we're able to have such a good relationship with City."