OXFORD City have voted in favour of ending the season without playing their remaining eight matches.

The National League have written to their 68 member clubs recommending the outstanding fixtures are not played, having suspended competition due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Should that proposal be backed, a second poll would be held to decide on the method for determining the promotion and relegation picture.

City, who are sitting 14th in the National League South, have no concerns about going up or down.

And in that context, the best option is to approve the idea to permanently call a halt to the campaign.

Paul Lyon, City’s finance director, said: “The only sensible option for Oxford City is for us to finish now.

“I’m guessing it’s the same position for a lot of clubs.”

The decision is rooted in finances.

City were able to put their playing squad into the government’s furlough scheme, after it was clarified it covered second jobs.

While they are not expecting to receive the income before the wages are due in April, the club has enough in reserve to cover them.

It is their final payment, before all the contracts expire at the end of the month.

But if the decision was to wait and restart the season when conditions were safe, it would cause a problem.

Even if contracts were extended under a blanket arrangement, they would have to be taken out of the furlough scheme when games returned.

However, the expectation is games in June would still be played behind closed doors.

Lyon said: “If that was the case we would have no income from the gate or the bar.

“Premier League and EFL clubs have the ability to stream games and generate revenue that way, but it’s not an option at National League level.”

City have first-hand experience of the pandemic, with commercial director Mick Livesey hospitalised after testing positive for the virus.

After an ordeal he is now on the way back to a full recovery, but it has given the club perspective.

Lyon said: “We just want our season to be over.

“Whatever they decide with promotion or relegation we will go with the majority.

“We have to remember people have died and won’t get a second chance.

“Maybe we just need to put football on the back burner and come back next season.”