MORE thank 60 clubs from non-league and grassroots football have written to the Football Association to express their "profound concern and displeasure" with the decision to expunge all results for the 2019-20 season.

The FA has faced criticism having voided the season for non-league divisions below the National League and National League North and South, and for women's football below the Women's Super League and Championship, due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The letter accuses the FA of acting with "needless and inexplicable haste" and said this was "coupled with (a) total lack of substantive dialogue or consultation with affected clubs".

The letter also claimed that clubs in steps one and two of the National League System - the National League and National League North and South - "were removed from the ruling at the 11th hour" and asked: "How can the FA possibly justify treating different steps under the non-league banner differently?"

Signatories to the letter said they agreed with the decision to halt play during the ongoing health crisis, but could not understand why results were voided in the lower leagues while the Premier League, EFL and others remain on hold with the hope of completing the season.

"Most clubs in steps three to six have now completed 70-80 per cent of their league fixtures, and it is incomprehensible that these results should be de-legitimised and expunged on the basis that the final quarter of the season cannot be fulfilled in the future," the letter said.

"Our demand for the FA to reconsider its decision is also about sending a message to the fans of our clubs, who have spent hard-earned money to follow their teams up and down the country, letting them know their support was not in vain."

Last week, Malvern Town chairman Chris Pinder said everyone at the club felt at a "low ebb" following the decision, but would take it on the chin.

In a statement, he said: "It’s true to say that all of us here at Malvern Town FC have been dreaming of celebrating a promotion, maybe even as League champions, for a long time.

"This now ill-fated season there was justifiable hope that we would achieve our ambition.

"The decision to render the season as null and void leaves us feeling at a rather low ebb, but we should be proud of how we performed up to now, and we mustn’t forget the highs!

"So, what’s the club’s view on The FA’s decision to bring the season to an end and expunge the results?

"Of course, it sucks, it’s hard to take, and we are bitterly disappointed. This virus is cruel in more ways than one, impacting not just those infected. Right now we’ve all got to roll with the punches and get on with it.

"We can’t wait to get going again for season 2020/21. And after all this is over, I’m sure we’ll all love and appreciate football, it’s family, and it’s community a little bit more."