TWO North-East MPs have joined forces to request that the FA abandons its plans to stage the FA Vase finals when supporters are unable to attend.

The 2019-20 FA Vase final between Northern League rivals Consett and Hebburn Town is currently due to take place at Wembley on Monday, May 3.

However, with the Government’s coronavirus roadmap ruling out the presence of spectators at any sporting event before May 17, the match will have to take place behind-closed-doors.

Consett will be making the first visit to Wembley in their 120-year history and Durham North-West MP, Richard Holden, has joined forces with Jarrow MP, Kate Osborne, whose constituency includes Hebburn, to urge the FA to postpone the final until supporters can attend.

The 2019-20 FA Trophy final between Harrogate Town and Concord Rangers is due to take place on the same day, and MPs Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) and Rebecca Harris (Castle Point) have also signed a joint letter, which has been sent to the chief executive of the FA.

“For those who were hoping to attend the FA Vase Final – especially those who had made plans to attend last year – the news the matches will be held behind closed doors is enormously disappointing,” said Holden. “I am delighted to be working with Andrew, Kate and Rebecca as we ask the FA to urgently reconsider the decision and look at rescheduling the date to allow supporters across the country to attend the matches. I have also spoken to the FA myself and have been liaising with Consett chairman Frank Bell to do everything I can to ensure Consett’s views are represented."