NAME the team that were suspended twice from all aspects of football through no fault of their own.

It is a quiz question of the future, that’s for sure, with the answer being: Holywell Town.

The Wellmen saw their Welsh National League Premier Division campaign delayed for just under two weeks by the Football Association of Wales back in August as a result of a pending arbitration hearing into Bangor City. The Citizens could have been demoted from the Cymru North instead of Holywell, but instead won their appeal to remain in the second-tier, with John Haseldin’s Wellmen eventually kicking off their campaign with a goalless draw against Brymbo on Tuesday, August 20.

And almost seven months later, Holywell have seen all match action suspended - along with the entire Welsh pyramid - as the coronavirus grips the nation.

“Everyone now knows how we felt at the start of the season!” joked Holywell boss Haseldin, who very much appreciates the seriousness of the current situation from both a sporting and an economic aspect.

“I was brought up in a pub for 25 years, so I understand what it takes to run one and the overheads and everything else that goes into operating businesses,” continued Haseldin. “At the club we’ve got staff and supporters who are important to us as a community and it’s important that we look after each other.

“Things are changing day by day and with people in self-isolation it can be tough on mental health, so we have to mindful of everyone.”

Haseldin was, however, confused by the “mixed messages” being issued across the United Kingdom.

“It felt like a knee-jerk decision to suspend all football in one go,” said Haseldin. “Schools were still open, Lewis Capaldi was still going ahead with a sell-out tour, Cheltenham Races were on, but our reserves couldn’t play against Queen’s Park in front of one man and his dog.

“I don’t know the reasons why football was completely suspended, but other things were going ahead, but it seemed bizarre. Surely it is all or nothing?

“It’s the not knowing that is the difficult thing. There doesn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel at the moment, but I’m sure there will be in time.”

This time 12 months ago Holywell were embroiled in a relegation battle to avoid exiting the soon to be Cymru North at the wrong end. Fast forward to this campaign and the Wellmen are favourites to win promotion back to the second-tier.

Holywell are three points behind Cefn Albion, who have played a hat-trick of games more, as the season hangs in the balance.

Suggestions on how best to proceed with football range from making the 2019/20 campaign null and void to ending the season now with teams in their current positions.

How would Haseldin, who has seen his B licence course suspended with two more contact sessions remaining, finish the season?

“I don’t know, but it’s important that a sensible decision is reached,” he answered. “There is an argument that you take the position you are in now, but this time last year we were in the bottom four and it would have been a completely different scenario.

“If the decision is to void the season then that would be a huge shame because a lot of hard work has gone in up to now at every club. There has been blood, sweat and tears at all levels and we’ve been back in since the first week of June trying to get ourselves back up.

“It would be hard to take if the rug is pulled from under clubs, but we have to accept the decisions that are made.”