Sunderland AFC throw their support behind plans to finish the 2019/20 season as EFL target June return date

The EFL season is currently suspended indefinitely, although the league are targeting a return to training on May 16 with fixtures then commencing in June – although much will depend on how the outbreak of coronavirus develops.

And with the National League season having been cancelled following a vote among clubs, there have been reports that the League One and League Two seasons could follow suit.

Some clubs, most notably Accrington Stanley, have called for the season to be scrapped – but Sunderland are one of a number of clubs keen to see the campaign concluded once it is fit to do so.

The drive to finish the season is being led by Darragh MacAnthony who has been vocal in his belief that the season needs to be concluded.

And speaking to the Roar Podcast, in an exclusive interview which will be released in full later today, he revealed how the Black Cats have thrown their weight behind the plans.

That’s despite some key figures at the club having clashed with MacAnthony in the past – particularly over the drawn-out Marcus Maddison saga.

“I got a lovely email on Sunday morning from Richard Hill,” said the Peterborough United owner.

“Myself and Richard have sparred over the Marcus Maddison stuff, and that’s football.

“You can’t fall out with people in football – I think Stewart Donald dug me out on Twitter about the Maddison thing as well, and that irritated me as I’d always spoken in his favour.

“But it was nice from Richard. He just said ‘keep doing what you’re doing, everyone here at Sunderland is in full agreement with what you’re saying.’

“So that was nice to have.”

“I’ve been in the game for 15 years, and some of these people who want to cancel and void the season have been around for 15 minutes,” continued MacAnthony.

“I spoke to the EFL about this yesterday, let’s start laying some positive platforms now so that we can quash the nonsense talk about voiding and we can give everyone involved in football some hope.”

Sunderland aren’t the only club to have supported MacAnthony’s plans, while he has also lent a helping hand to a number of other clubs – including a promotion rival.

“I had Karl Robinson the Oxford manager Zoom with me last week, because he wanted to get my feelings on a few different things.

“As a business person, he wanted my advice on how he should handle a few things.

“He was one of four managers in the lower leagues who asked me for advice on how to handle players and clubs, and maybe they don’t have the direct access to their owners that they would like.”