Voiding the season might be 'least worst option' if it can't be finished, warns Thomas

Voiding the whole season may well end up being the 'least worst option' if all remaining fixtures cannot be played due to the coronavirus, admits Cobblers chairman Kelvin Thomas.

The Cobblers have nine fixtures to go and will be eager to play the season to a successful conclusion given they currently occupy a play-off place in Sky Bet League Two.

Voiding the season would mean wiping out all previous results and starting afresh in August, and whilst that does not appeal to the majority of clubs, the continued spread of COVID-19 may leave them with little choice.

"Our view at the football club is that you've either got to finish the season or you probably null and void it," said Thomas.

"I think I've seen some of the hybrids that are being discussed but I can't say I love those ideas and this is coming from a club in the play-off places right now.

"It would obviously be very disappointing for us to null and void a season and I can't imagine what it would be like for teams sitting in the promotion places or Liverpool who are champions-elect in the Premier League.

"Our priority would still be to finish the season but there's also a reality to some of this stuff and I'm not sure some of the hybrid options are as fair as the least worst option of null and voiding the whole season."

An alternative could be to finish the season behind closed doors to limit the risk of the coronavirus among supporters, but again that does not particularly appeal to Thomas given the money Northampton would lose out on.

He added: "I don't think playing behind closed doors would be the ideal solution either because you don't want to lose that income if possible, especially without compensation.

"But if behind closed doors is the only option, you have to look at everything on their merits.

"You would have a list of preferences and obviously finishing the season within a certain timeframe, as normal, would be your first preference and after that you would have to look at the various options.

"If and when you decide you can't finish the season, you have to look at the least worst because they're all not going to be great situations for a variety of reasons."