[themaclad]

Barrow have been promoted back to the English Football League after 48 years away after National League clubs voted to end the 2019-20 season and compile tables on a points-per-game basis.

The Cumbrian side were four points clear when the season was suspended.

The vote also means King’s Lynn Town and Wealdstone will be promoted as champions of National League North and South respectively.

But the decision is still subject to final ratification by the FA Council.

The resolution to finish the season on an unweighted points-per-game basis received majority support from sides in all three divisions of the National League in a vote on Wednesday.

Play-offs in all three divisions will now proceed with the clubs that qualify, subject to competition rules and government guidance on the phased return of elite sport during the coronavirus pandemic.

There will be no relegation from National League North and National League South this season, following the Football Association's decision in March to null and void the campaign from steps three to seven of the non-league pyramid.

The number of clubs relegated from the National League will be determined to keep a 24-team league for 2020-21 following relegation from League Two.

Just one club is expected to drop down from the EFL following the demise of Bury earlier this season.
Barrow lost their Football League place in 1972, despite finishing third bottom of what was then known as Division Four, when the bottom four clubs were required to submit to re-election.

But Barrow were voted out of the league and replaced by Hereford United - who had finished second in the Southern League.

The process of re-election was ended in 1986 when automatic relegation to the National League - formed in 1979 as the Alliance Premier League, and subsequently the Football Conference - was introduced.

"The enforced curtailment of our season does nothing to discredit the quality of the football played and I am pleased that our clubs have overwhelmingly supported the award of their titles," National League chief executive Michael Tattersall said.

"We can now also look towards the completion of end of season play-offs.

[theo_luddite]

Well done Barrow. I'm sure away fans will love the 4 hour drive from the M6 to the end of the earth - at least, that was what I seem to recall of it from about 30+ years ago and vowed never to do it again.

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PS I wasn't going to watch football. The only good thing about the trip was I had my tent in the car and I headed up into the Lakes on the way back.

[themaclad]

Technically I'm about 15 miles away across Morecambe Bay, hour plus drive though

[Lord Snooty]

I was thinking it will be a nice local derby for Carlisle. Looked on Google maps, it's over 80 miles and an hour and half car journey.

[themaclad]

Carlisle used to think they were our local rivals, first time we played them after about 20 years they brought 4000, season after 400 and we stuffed them 6-1