Yorkshire side at Wembley and Bootham Crescent final farewell in prospect in National League play-offs

The National League season was abandoned in April but after much discussion, play-offs will go ahead, giving Harrogate Town and Halifax Town the chance to win promotion to the Football League. York City will also get the chance to play in next season's Conference.

The play-offs are more convoluted than their Football League counterparts, with the teams in fifth and sixth playing an eliminator to reach the semi-finals.

That will be Halifax's fate after finishing sixth in the Conference. They travel to Boreham Wood on July 17. Victory will guarantee a Yorkshire side at Wembley because the winners are due at Harrogate Town on July 25 for the right to play in the August 2 final.

York were top of Conference North when games came to a halt because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the final table was decided on points-per-game, demoting them to second place and the play-offs.

They will host the winners of Altrincham and Chester City on July 25 at Bootham Crescent, which they are due to leave this year with a new stadium built at Monk's Cross.

With the final being played on FA Cup final day – August 1 – Wembley is unavailable, so the final will be played on the ground of the highest-ranked team. If York reach it, that will be then.

The Minstermen hope to kick off next season in their new home, but cannot get a safety certificate for it while mass gatherings are banned, because test events cannot take place.

Harrogate also have logistical problems to consider. They will have to rip up their artificial surface if they win promotion to the Football League, where clubs have to play on grass, but will keep it otherwise.

If it means playing in the Football League for the first time, it will be a sacrifice they are happy to make.

FIXTURES

Conference

July 17, 7pm: Boreham Wood v Halifax Town

July 18, 3pm: Yeovil Town v Barnet

July 25, 2.30pm: Harrogate Town v Boreham Wood or Halifax

5pm: Notts County v Yeovil Town or Barnet

August 2, 3pm: Promotion final, Wembley

Conference North

July 19, 3pm: Altrincham v Chester and Brackley Town v Gateshead

July 25, 3pm: York City v Altrincham or Chester and Boston United v Brackley or Gateshead

August 1, 3pm: Promotion final at stadium of highest-ranked finalist

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