DARLINGTON will launch a formal appeal against the National League’s decision to impose a £2,000 fine for their failure to fulfil February’s home fixture against Boston United.

The game was due to take place at a time when National League clubs were voting whether to declare the season null and void, with Darlington having confirmed that they wanted the campaign to come to an end.

Shortly afterwards, it was announced that the National League North season would indeed be voided, but the league have still to decided to impose a penalty for Darlington’s decision not to play.

A statement on Darlington’s website said: “The club has today received notification from the National League that we have been fined £2,000 for breach of league rule 8.39, for failing to fulfil our home fixture against Boston United on Tuesday 16th February 2021.

“We have also received a suspended two-point deduction. We are considering our position on this matter, and will update supporters as necessary.”

Spennymoor Town will also have been affected by the National League’s decision to impose financial and points penalties, as they also took the decision not to take part in matches while the future of the season was being decided.

Eighteen clubs in National League North and South were found guilty of failing to fulfil their fixture obligations, with the league imposing fines ranging from £1,400 to £8,000.

In the National League, Dover Athletic have been deducted 12 points for next season and fined £40,000 for failing to fulfil their fixtures. The Kent club have not played since February after saying they were unable to continue this season due to a lack of funds.

The club have been found guilty of four breaches of rules and the 15 matches they have played this season have been expunged from the records. With no relegation from the competition this season, they will remain in the division for the 2021-22 campaign but start with a minus points tally.

A statement read: “An independent panel has ruled that Dover Athletic are deemed guilty of four breaches of rule 8.39 for failing to meet fixture obligations between February 16 and February 27.”

The removal of Dover’s results does not affect the top positions in the table with Sutton retaining a four-point lead over Hartlepool United.