YORK City have confirmed that they have tabled an amendment to the National League ensuring their promotion.

The National League had proposed that the final standings be decided through points-per-game (PPG), meaning York would fall behind King’s Lynn Town, with clubs having until Monday to vote on this.

And, given that the government regulations regarding only cover “elite sport”, which excludes sixth tier sides such as City, the play-offs in the National League North cannot be played.

According to league regulations, the play-offs are the only way in which a side can be promoted.

City have now called for the league to change its proposal given the extraordinary circumstances of the season being suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic, that 81 per cent of the season has been completed and their inability to compete in play-off matches.

Their amendment would allow the top two sides in the National Leagues North and South to be promoted.

A York City statement read: “The York City FC Board of Directors have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, to demonstrate to influential parties that promotion would only be reasonable, fair and equitable. We are fighting for the club.

“Our view is that the club were in top position after an 81% completion of our scheduled games when the season was ended and this should be recognised.

“In addition to this, we have not been able to fight for a second chance at promotion in the play-off’s.

“We have therefore tabled an alternative resolution, an amendment, to be heard at the National League Meeting which, in essence, agrees with utilisation of an unweighted points per game calculation.

“However, the proposal is extended whereby if play-off games do not proceed for any reason the two teams deemed to finish highest in National League North and South should be promoted.

“We believe this alternative resolution, if carried, has considerable merits for all connected with football as it strenuously reinforces the underlying ethos of success on the pitch being recognized, thereby maintaining the integrity of the National League North and South Competitions.”

York’s battle for promotion was not just limited to the boardroom though, with their #Promote2 campaign on social media trending at number three in the country on Twitter.

City’s bid has also been backed by various clubs, including National League South side Havant & Waterlooville who, like the Minstermen, would finish second after PPG.

They too have put forward an amendment to the National League’s Board to allow the top, after PPG, to go up.

The owner of King’s Lynn, Stephen Cleeve, had earlier this week called for York to go up alongside his side.

His comments were echoed by fellow National League North club Bradford (Park Avenue).

Martin Knight, Park Avenue’s director of football, told The Telegraph and Argus: "It is fundamentally unfair that the National League are suggesting York can’t get promoted.

“We would like to see that in there (in the amendment), if something like this were to happen again.

"For Avenue, we wouldn’t get relegated either way. For us to take that moral position, it has financial implications, because York is our biggest gate of the season.

"If they get promoted we lose that game. You have got to separate your own interests with what is morally right in very unusual circumstances.

"From a moral point of view, we think what has been offered to us is incorrect and unreasonable. If they don’t make an amendment, we won't support the proposal. “

The vote among the clubs in the National League sees clubs in the North and South constituting four votes, while the National League clubs have 24 votes.

Knight added: "Also, how can you have a democratic system when my vote is worth a sixth of someone in the National League? We are all members of it.

"We are being asked to vote on a resolution which is unfair and we don’t have a voice to air that.

"The National League are protecting their opinions and not those of the National League North or South, I think that is sad. The wrong here is York not getting promoted."

Sporting neighbours York City Knights commended the cause, writing on Twitter: “Everyone at the Knights is fully behind our friends at York City in their quest for sporting fairness.

“Up the #Promote2!”

Julian Sturdy, the MP for York Outer, indicated that he was looking into the matter.

Fellow National League North club Altrincham have described the proposal as “the cruellest outcome.”

Bill Waterson, Altrincham’s joint chairman, lamented the Government’s decision not to allow sixth tier clubs to play due to them not qualifying as “elite sport.”

He said: "Forget about behind closed doors, our players and our club have been deemed as not worthy by the Government.

"Some NLN clubs protested that they were full-time and therefore should be considered as elite, but the Government has damned all clubs at our level to second-class status."