BILLERICAY Town and Concord Rangers will not be in action for the foreseeable future after the National League announced they have suspended the campaign until April 3 at the earliest.

Town and the Beach Boys were involved in National League South clashes at the weekend after the National League decided against postponing fixtures despite the coronavirus epidemic and the likes of the Premier League and Football League suspending play.

But the National League have confirmed the upcoming fixtures, including tomorrow's scheduled Billericay and Concord meetings with Maidstone United and Hungerford Town respectively, will not go ahead.

A National League statement read: "At its board meeting on Friday, the National League decided to use its best endeavours to keep its season going in the face of unprecedented adversity.

"However, with the current coronavirus reaching global pandemic levels it has to accept that the situation is now out of its own control.

"In the knowledge of the government measures now announced, including not to support sporting events with emergency services workers, it is clearly not practical for its fixtures to be fulfilled in the immediate future.

"In those circumstances and in line with the Football Association and the professional game, at a board meeting, the National League has decided that its competition is now suspended until at least April 3, 2020.

"The National League will continue to monitor the situation, but trusts that its loyal clubs, fans, players, officials, staff, volunteers and sponsors will accept that it has had no other choice but to reach this decision.

"It wishes everybody connected with the competition and indeed the whole country a safe passage through these turbulent times."

The statement came after Concord chairman Ant Smith confirmed the Beach Boys would not travel to Hungerford should the fixture have gone ahead.

Smith said: “Our team and staff are predominantly made up of part-time players and volunteers who have had to book holiday time off.

"In light of the UK’s situation, this is time off they do not need to waste.”