IT'S been a significant day for Maldon and Tiptree FC who have just had it confirmed that their season is now officially over – and their manager has been put in the hot seat at Colchester United.

The end of the season has also come for Heybridge Swifts, who like Maldon play in the Isthmian North division, and Burnham Ramblers who play in the Eastern Counties League Division One South.

The Football Association's Alliance and Leagues Committees have today (Wednesday, 24 February) agreed to curtail the non-league season for clubs in steps three to six of the non-League pyramid.

A full statement from the committee is below.

The news was broken after Maldon fans learned that manager Wayne Brown is to take over at Colchester United.

Former Colchester player Brown has he has been catapulted into the hotseat on a temporary basis as replacement for newly-departed Steve Ball - with the club deep in trouble in League Two, without a win in their last 13 matches after a 2-1 home defeat by Exeter last night.

Brown played more than 150 times for the U's during his career, and this will be his second spell in temporary charge - although this one might come with longer term possibilities.

A statement from United Chairman Robbie Cowling explains: 'I have asked Wayne Brown to take over the role of First Team Coach for the next run of games that see us playing every Saturday and Tuesday for the next few weeks. It's a difficult run of games and I want to give Wayne every opportunity to succeed in those games. Therefore I am not looking for any other applicants at this time.'

In a statement for the Jammers, the club express their support, saying "With the Jammers without any First Team football for the foreseeable future, it will provide Wayne with the opportunity to succeed in the professional game in what is a difficult run of games for Colchester United.

"Everyone at Park Drive wishes Wayne the very best of luck during his time as Colchester's First Team Coach."

The statement from the Football Association's Alliance and Leagues Committees says: "We have now considered the large amount of data and information submitted by clubs across the National League System (NLS) Steps 3-6 as part of a survey to gather views on the continuation or conclusion of the 2020-21 league season, in addition to the information set out in the Government's roadmap this week.

"Submissions were made by 99.1% of clubs at Steps 3 and 4, and 95.8% of clubs at Steps 5 and 6. We would like to thank the clubs for submitting their views and the time taken in providing responses during what we appreciate is an incredibly challenging period for everyone.

"The results of the survey showed that over 76% of all clubs across Steps 3-6 indicated a preference to curtail the 2020-21 league season if it could not be restarted with limited spectator numbers and hospitality before 1 April 2021.

"During this process, taking into account views of clubs and leagues it was decided that extending the 2020-21 league season beyond the end of May 2021 would not be a viable option. This was due to various considerations, including the financial implications for many clubs, player contracts and the extent of the fixture scheduling issues caused by the national lockdown and various postponements which had resulted in there being 81% of matches left to complete for Steps 3 and 4, and 75% at Steps 5 and 6.

"Taking into account the survey results and the ongoing impact of Covid-19, which continues to adversely affect incomes for clubs due to restrictions on both spectators and hospitality, The FA's Alliance and Leagues Committees have reached a consensus that subject to the approval of FA Council, the 2020-21 league season for Steps 3-6 of the NLS should be curtailed with immediate effect, with no further league matches taking place this season.

"The Committees will now present their collective recommendations to The FA Council for ratification.

"It has also been decided that subject to FA Council's decision regarding the curtailment of the season at Steps 3 to 6, both committees will revisit discussions around a potential restructure at Steps 4-6 of the NLS, which was previously agreed and has been on hold since the 2019-20 season. A further update on this will be provided in due course."