The South West Peninsula Football League have announced that the planned end of season cup competition will not be taking place.

The decision was made due to fans being unable to return to grounds until May 17 and outdoor hospitality unable to be held before April 12.

The board of the league held a Zoom meeting on Wednesday March 10 and considered the guidance sent to themn by The Football Association in its deliberations.

The committee had previously agreed to look into running two end of season cups; one knock out competition and one that was group based.

These plans were due to be discussed and the formulation of them, having consulted with clubs in which 32 of the 40 had indicated that they would wish to participate.

However, with the news that the return of fans is not on the horizon and the FA guidance suggesting May 17 at the earliest with an end date of May 31 for any Step 3/6 club in any Cup.

Further the clarification of hospitality from April 12 being only table service in Covid restricted bubbles means secondary spend from licensed premises would be restricted and not practical whilst games are in progress.

The FA guidance says: "Unfortunately, the current understanding at DCMS is that spectators for non-elite football will be under the same categorisation as outlined for all spectators in the roadmap. Therefore, unless informed otherwise we believe all fixtures will need to be behind closed doors until no earlier than May 17th, except for any person(s) spectating for safeguarding purposes.

"The roadmap indicates that outdoor hospitality will be allowable no earlier than April 12th however, the guidance is clear that any outdoor hospitality customers must order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’) only."

The board were unanimous that without the return of fans, at least in the previous Covid secure way used earlier in the season, that clubs would not be able to afford to play these matches as no admission and no secondary spend would be possible.

They also expressed their concerned that clubs run by volunteers, cannot reasonably be expected to police the “no fans” rules.

An SWPL statement said: "In light of the guidance and with a heavy heart, a Proposal and Seconder put forward a motion that we do not run any end of season Cups and its my duty to report that the motion passed by 12 Votes to Nil."