A CLUSTER of Bradford's grassroots clubs will not return to action until next year.

The Toolstation Northern Counties East League, which houses Thackley, Eccleshill United, Albion Sports, Liversedge, Campion and Silsden, do not think it is feasible to resume their season behind closed doors.

With 37 of the 40 clubs in the two leagues about to enter tier 3 from Wednesday, it means spectators would not be able to attend games.

After conducting a poll over the weekend, 80% of clubs voted against playing without fans.

Upon considering this, the NCEL management committee decided to suspend all league fixtures until January 2021 at the earliest.

Although the tier system will be looked at every two weeks, indications are that most clubs will remain in tier 3 for the foreseeable future so the situation is highly unlikely to change when the first review takes place on December 16.

The NCEL will await the outcome of the second scheduled tier review on December 30 before considering whether matches can feasibly restart in January.

Sedge are the only exception to the rule as their Buildbase FA Vase second round tie at Guisborough Town this Saturday will go ahead albeit with no supporters present.

Meanwhile, the North West Counties League, which Steeton and Barnoldswick Town play in, have confirmed that they will delay the restart of their season until at least December 19.