The League Management Committee has been advised that a request has been made to the FA by the Step 5/6 Focus Group to consider extending the season beyond the agreed end date.

The current season end date of Saturday 26th April 2014 for leagues at Step 5 and Step 6 is set by the FA, and Leagues cannot extend the season beyond that date without permission from the FA.

Ken Clarke, Chairman of the Step 5 & 6 Focus Group, has made the FA Leagues Committee aware that some leagues had been in touch regarding the requirement for an extension to the current playing season, and he has reported back that the FA response is as follows.

"After lengthy discussion it was agreed to defer any decision on an extension until 1st March, and a sub-committee was appointed to take that decision.

"Mike Appleby (Leagues & Clubs Manager, Football Services Division) will be advising all leagues in due course of the decision reached".