The Football Association remain hopeful that they can conclude this season’s FA Vase competition - giving hope to semi-finalists Corinthian.

All four teams remaining in the Vase have been contacted by the FA to say they still intent to play the remaining games but no potential dates or ways of concluding them have been put forward.

Corinthian are due to play Hebburn Town over two legs - originally scheduled for March 21/28, while Consett and Bitton were due to play in the other tie. A Wembley final was awaiting the winners.

Secretary at Corinthian, Sue Billings, said: “The decision is that there is no decision but they are hoping to play it. Obviously none of us have got a crystal ball, I understand that.

“We are desperate to play it as a club, they want to play it and they are still hoping to play it. 100% they haven’t said they are going to scrap it but like everyone we don’t know when we are going to be allowed to play football again.

“They are hoping it will go ahead at some stage but at this moment they can’t say when.

“Our boys have done so well, they are competing against big budgets, a lot of clubs are throwing a lot at it, and for our little club to have got this far is unbelievable."

One suggestion would be to run the semi-finals and final of the competition in parallel with the start of the 2020/21 one, whenever that would be.

Corinthian were also on course for promotion from the Southern Counties East, Premier Division. They would have won it too on average points, had the league got their way but the FA decided instead to declare it null and void.

The Longfield-based club, who play at Gay Dawn Farm, wrote to the FA to express their disappointment at that decision and also signed up to one sent in by over 100 other non-league sides.

The FA Council have since ratified the decision to cancel the season.

Corinthian, at least, still have the FA Vase hope to hang onto. Tickets have been sold for the semi-final but nobody has asked for a refund. The club have offered them to those who have pre-purchased.

Manager Michael Golding, who was named manager-of-the-year by KentOnline this week, still does have a team, but they must now wait to see whether they can finish what they started.

The club secretary added: “We very much have a team. You wouldn’t expect them to be match-fit or match-sharp but that will be the same for everyone.”

Fellow semi-finalists Consett Town issued their own message to fans, saying: “We had contact from the FA assuring us that they intend to complete the 2019/20 FA Vase competition. Whilst this is clearly excellent news we must continue to follow the government guidelines to protect our wonderful NHS, families and friends. Stay safe and take care.”

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