HARTLEPOOL UNITED voted with the majority to end the National League season.

All three divisions of the competition have today been ended, with promotion and relegation outcomes still to be determined.

And Pools chief executive Mark Maguire believes that the overwhelming outcome – around 90 per cent of votes cast were in favour of calling the season off – enables clubs to plan for the future, rather than be concerned about paying players at a time when there’s no timescale on a return to action.

Speaking on BBC Tees, Maguire said: “We understood last week there was a majority in favour of ending the season. A lot of clubs employ players on 44-week contracts which gives clubs the opportunity to release them.

“We were expecting this decision. The next question is how they conclude promotion and relegation.

“We had to go with the majority and understood the inevitable would happen.

“Everyone is trying to work with a plan, but there’s no clarity when people can get back together and train.’’

And now with Pools finishing ninth in the National League, the club will now plan their season ticket campaign and pre-season programme for when there’s a time next season is being considered.

He added: “The main challenge is to understand when next season will start – that’s a huge part of income with season ticket sales.

“Financially that is more important than anything to us.

“We understand the league is in an impossible position ad they cant’ plan in Government advice to state playing again.

“The long-term survival of clubs is more important than anything else.’’