IF the National League North season is stopped, there could be knock-on effects to the football pyramid and the integrity of the game, Steve Watson has warned.

The York City boss has previously spoken of his desire for the Minstermen to see the season to completion to give them the best chance of earning promotion from Step 2.

And it is the principle of promotion and relegation that could be hit further up the chain if the National League North season were to cease early.

“I think if everybody in the league is willing to carry, we carry on,” said Watson.

“If it’s affordable and it works - I can only speak for our club. We’re more than willing to carry on.

“The ripple effect is enormous if we stop. Then what happens to the National League?

“If the National League carries on, will there be no relegation? Then the teams near the bottom could they take their foot off the gas, furlough people or play different sides?

“What happens to the League Two relegation area?

“We’ve got so many knock-on effects to the integrity of the game that we’ve all got a duty to try and get to the end - if we can.”