PENMAENMAWR Phoenix manager Martyn Jones has urged the Football Association of Wales “not to keep clubs hanging on” regarding any potential start date for the season.

The latest Level 4 lockdown extension has postponed “elite athlete” level football across the country for another month, which has cast further doubt as to whether what the FAW deem “recreational” leagues will get underway at all.

With Phoenix operating in the new Tier 4 after meeting the necessary criteria, Jones is keen for the governing body to come to a formal decision regarding the future of the domestic game beyond Tier 2.

He said: “I think as time moves on it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that we will see a 2020/21 season at Tier 4.

“I did hold some hope for a similar format to what was planned for Tier 2 with just playing each other once but that’s now looking doubtful at that level which obviously reduced the chances of us having any hope.

“I think a decision needs to be made by the end of January, once we get into February there’s no chance of completing any sort of season realistically in my opinion so we should just be told it’s a non-starter and we can focus on 2021/22 starting in August.

“I appreciate the FAW giving it every chance to start but I think they just need to be honest with us now, it’s not fair to keep people hanging on as we head into the New Year.”

Despite the current uncertainty surrounding the domestic game, Jones was full of praise for his players and the club’s committee members for the way they’ve worked since action was halted in March last year.

This has seen some real improvements made both on and off the pitch, which is sure to stand Penmaenmawr in good stead when they get the green light to resume team activities.

“The efforts of the club officials and players since the pandemic stopped football have been really good,” added Jones.

“The committee and coaching staff from our youngest of junior sides right up to the first team have done absolutely everything to ensure the safety of everybody involved.

“The players have also been great under the circumstances. Due to protocol we have only been able to name a squad of 13 for the friendlies we had before Christmas so it’s involved a lot of rotation to give everyone a run out and again the lads have been understanding on this front.”