ONE of Warrington Rylands’ fellow Northern Premier League Premier Division sides has today resigned from the league.

Financially-stricken Marske United, who have been attempting to come up with funds to save themselves from liquidation, confirmed this morning that while they have rescued themselves in the long-term, they cannot realistically continue in the NPL for the remainder of the season.

The Seasiders were due to visit Gorsey Lane for a Premier Division fixture later this month on January 16, with Rylands due in the north east for the reverse fixture on March 2.

Now, neither of those two games along with the other 18 of Marske’s remaining fixtures will take place.

“The League has been in regular dialogue with Mark Hastings-Long, chairman of Marske United, providing help and guidance,” an NPL statement reads.

“Mr Hastings-Long has been working hard to find a way to address the issues facing the club and has provided regular updates to the league.

“However, the latest financial information shows the accumulated monthly losses mean that the club cannot realistically complete the 2023/24 playing season.

“The league is disappointed and sad to lose a member in such circumstances and thanks the club for their attention and efforts over the past few weeks.

“The NPL board will convene in the coming days and no further statement will be issued until after that meeting.”

Could Marske resignation help Rylands’ promotion bid?

While this is yet to be officially confirmed, it is likely that Marske’s playing record from this season will be expunged, meaning points gained in fixtures against the Seasiders would be deducted from records.

This was the case when North Ferriby United were wound up mid-season in 2019, with Warrington Town among the clubs to have points taken in that instance.

Because they were yet to face Marske this season, Rylands’ record will remain unchanged if this course of action is taken.

Perhaps crucially, however, it would affect almost all of Blues’ rivals.

Here is how the unaltered NPL Premier Division table currently looks

Warrington Guardian:

Every other side currently in the top seven would stand to lose three points having all picked up victories over Marske at some point in the season. FC United of Manchester and Bradford Park Avenue would also both stand to lose three points.

If applied now, it would put Michael Clegg’s side just one point behind league leaders Radcliffe and give them a cushion of at least six points to the teams immediately behind them.

Perhaps the unluckiest sides would be Ilkeston Town, Morpeth Town and Matlock Town, who had all completed a league double over Marske and would therefore have six points each taken away.

Alongside Blues, the big winners would be Guiseley, who would jump from eighth in the table to third.