After much deliberating, clubs in the the Vanarama National League have backed the proposal that will see the 2019-20 National League and National Leagues North and South campaigns decided by unweighted points per game.
This now means that Barrow will be to the Football League after an absence of 48 years as National League champions, Kings Lynn Town clinch the National League North title ahead of York City and Wealdstone succeed Torquay United as champions of National League South.
King's Lynn and Wealdstone's elevation to the National League will also mean that the Gulls will be renewing a couple of old acquaintances from their recent past.
The National League North winners from Norfolk are managed by former Norwich City right-back Ian Culverhouse have several connections with the Canaries amongst their staff, including former United striker Ryan Jarvis. Many Gulls' fans will remember Jarvis who was brought to Plainmoor by Martin Ling in March 2012. He remained at Plainmoor until the end of the 2012-13 season, after he finished the campaign as United's second top scorer behind Rene Howe with nine goals before he linked up with his former Canaries boss Nigel Worthington at York. Nowadays Jarvis appears as a midfielder for the Linnets, and his experience has been beneficial to them in their success of the 2019-20 season.
No doubt every Gulls fans will still have fond memories of United's own National League South title winning campaign of the 2018-19 campaign, which included a league 'double' over Wealdstone. The Gulls beat the Stones 3-0 at the Grosvenor Vale home on October 30, 2018, with goals from George Essuman, Opi Edwards and Jamie Reid on target. United then won the corresponding fixture at Plainmoor on March 30, 2019 3-2 and Kalvin Kalala, Reid (again) and Jean Yves Koue Niate were all on the scoresheet.
Meanwhile, the play-offs in National League North and South are set to go ahead "subject to the competition rules and the applicable government guidance on the phased return of elite sport," - in keeping with their National League counterparts - with Altrincham, Chester FC, Brackley Town, Gateshead, York City and Boston United involved in the NLN. In the NLS Slough Town, Dartford, Bath City, Dorking Wanderers, Havant Waterlooville and Weymouth are all set to compete. This will mean several other clubs, including Ebbsfleet United, AFC Fylde and Maidenhead United, could join Chorley in being relegated from the National League.
