ALL county cup competitions have been cancelled and the results expunged, the Somerset FA confirmed yesterday.

Citing issues concerning venues and player registrations, the Somerset FA statement announced an end to the 2019/20 competitions, while adding that participants would pay no fee to enter the same competition in the 2020/21 season.

Burnham United had reached the Somerset Senior Cup semi-finals, Westonzoyland were in the final of the Junior Cup, and Ashcott, Bridgwater Sports and White Eagles had made it to the Intermediate Cup semi-finals.

Elsewhere, West Bower were in the Sunday Challenge Cup semi-finals, and Ash Rangers and Bishops Lydeard Reserves were due to meet in the Women's Junior Cup final.

This follows the Football Association decision to cancel the season for all leagues below the National League (for men) and Championship (for women).

Outside of the National League system (down to Somerset County League level for men and women), leagues do have the option to award championships, promote and relegate by using a points per match formula.

Some teams had hoped to see county cup ties played during pre-season for the 2020/21 campaign, but today's announcement looks to have ruled that out.

The Somerset FA statement said: "You will be aware that all county cup competitions have been suspended as part of the wider restrictions imposed both on football and society in general.

"At present there is no time specified when these restrictions may be lifted.

"The Somerset FA board of directors have met online to discuss what we should do with the competitions for this season.

"At present, our 13 county cups are at various stages of the competition; while some have finalists decided, there are others still at the quarter-final stage.

"The board were conscious that there is currently no timetable for any return to “normality” and when football matches will be able to be played again, while there is some hope that we may be able do so in the summer, this is no more than speculation.

"When we do start again we will have to find venues for our finals and doubtless the clubs who host us will want to start playing their own games as soon as possible.

"Furthermore, by the time we start again, all registrations will have expired (they end on May 31) and players in youth competitions will have moved up to the next age group.

"Given this, and after much consideration, the directors have decided that all Somerset FA county cup competitions for season 2019/20 season will be cancelled and the results in the competition will be expunged.

"Free entry will be given for season 2020/21 for all teams that entered the competition in season 2019/20.

"The board obviously appreciate the work that teams will have made to reach the stage they are at and every sympathy goes to the players and coaches of all of the teams.

"We are aware that this will likely be a great disappointment to you.

"We do not make this decision lightly but believe that it is the right one."