KARL Robinson believes the cancellation of Oxford City’s league season is a blow for football across the county.

A slim majority of clubs voted to declare the 2020/21 Vanarama National League North and South campaigns null and void last week after disputes over funding.

It is hugely frustrating for City, who were fourth in the southern section and have been denied the chance to gain promotion to the fifth tier of English football for the first time.

But Robinson, whose Oxford United side are fighting for a Sky Bet League One play-off spot, feels the decision has wider implications for football in Oxfordshire.

Karl Robinson: Oxford United still in play-off race

The U’s head coach said: “It’s terrible for the likes of Oxford City, because they were a real force at that level.

“You never know – it might have been their year to get to the National League.

“If one day Oxford United can get to the Championship and Oxford City can get to the National League it’s what we want for our area.

“Football doing well in our county doesn’t half improve the level – it means more money going into grassroots football and we can invest more in what we do in the surrounding area.”

City have joined forces with 17 other clubs who want to play on as they push for a resumption, but as it stands their nine-match unbeaten run in the league was in vain.

They are still alive in the Buildbase FA Trophy, where they face a quarter-final trip to Notts County on Saturday.

Former United players James Roberts, Josh Ashby, Alfie Potter and Harvey Bradbury have played a key part in a successful first half of the season, while youngster Michael Elechi is on loan at Court Place Farm and available this weekend.

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Robinson worked with City boss David Oldfield at MK Dons, when the pair were manager and head of academy coaching respectively, and is full of respect for his counterpart’s work.

He said: “It’s a tremendous platform for players who are on a different pathway.

“James Roberts is doing immensely well, Josh Ashby’s doing well, so you’ve got a lot of good players that have been there.”

The premature end to the National League South season means Nico Jones, Leon Chambers-Parillon and Dylan Asonganyi will see their loan moves cut short.

The latter had made a temporary switch to Chelmsford City, while the other two youngsters were at Havant & Waterlooville.

Robinson said: “They can’t come into our bubble.

“We’re getting them back training and will get them playing behind the scenes games.”

Steps three to six of the national league system will be curtailed with immediate effect, subject to the approval of the FA Council.

It affects Oxfordshire’s six clubs in the Pitching In Southern League, who had not played since the beginning of November.