ILKLEY Town manager, Simon Armstrong, believes his side can use the Football Association's decision to void the season as a tool of encouragement for next season.

Last week, despite over 100 clubs appealing their conclusion, the FA confirmed that they would ratify their choice to null the 2019-20 campaign for steps 3-7.

Town were one of the clubs to send a letter of disagreement to the governing body after recording their best season to date.

The West Yorkshire League Premier Division side were flying high in second on the cusp of promotion to step six, while on the cup front they were in the final four of the West Yorkshire League Cup and the Wharfedale & District FA Cup, and the last eight of the West Yorkshire League Cup.

Although Armstrong is discontent, he believes the best thing his club can do now is use this to go again even stronger when football does return.

The Town boss said: "I thought it was a longshot that we were going to overturn the decision anyway. It was important that we demonstrated that we didnt agree with it.

"It just leaves a sour taste for a lot of people because it is 80% complete. To turn around and say it doesnt matter, it isnt the right thing to do.

"A lot of the work, effort and time was not taken into consideration. It was disappointing. We wanted to voice our opinion along with all the other clubs.

. "Ultimately there is a lot of people passionate about football. When you feel like you have been treated unjustly, it is natural that the passion comes through and you want to oppose it."

Armstrong added: "As soon as it we as ratified we all made a conscious decision that they are not going to overturn so the focus is on the new season.

"We have already talked to our players and thankfully 95%, if not more, have committed to the new season. A lot of them feel that we have got unfinished business.

"It has to be the motivation. We proved this season that we can compete with anybody at this level. We were in two semis and a quarter final so we had a chance of winning some silverware.

"We wanted the opportunity to see it through but I think we can use that in a positive way to inspire us."

At the summit of the league stood Beeston St Anthony who were having an extraordinary campaign. The Bees were unbeaten in 19, Ilkley being the only team to take points off them with the pair drawing twice.

Armstrong feels sorry for their title rivals and would have been willing to force through their promotion if it had come to it.

He added: "We played Beeston in the last game before it got stopped. It is an injustice that they wont be handed a league title and an unbeaten season at this level.

"They deserved it. Whatever happened they would have had our backing if they could have had the title awarded.

"They were 15 points ahead. It was highly unlikely that we are going to catch them given the relentless season they were having."

Original post:
Ilkley Town manager wants to use voided season as motivation - Bradford Telegraph and Argus