Macclesfield Town’s woes have deepened with the news that head coach Mark Kennedy has left the relegated club.
The Silkmen have been relegated to the National League after the EFL won an appeal against a points deduction.
The Moss Rose club had been given a suspended four-point sanction, but that has now been applied immediately, dropping Macclesfield to the foot of the League Two table.
The decision – which comes just a month before the start of the new season - means a reprieve for Stevenage, who will now retain their EFL status. The EFL said an independent panel’s decision was “final and binding”.
In a statement the club said: “Everyone at Macclesfield Town was very disappointed and saddened by the impact of the Independent Disciplinary Commission's decision to uphold the EFL's appeal.
“In order to move forward, the club is currently investigating a number of avenues that are open to us.
“Whilst we appreciate that fans will want as much clarity as possible on such options, at this stage it would not be appropriate to divulge any specifics - but please rest assured that we are doing everything we can to ensure that we have a Club that we are all proud of.
“We will provide a further update as soon as we are able.”
Macclesfield have also confirmed that former Liverpool, Manchester City, Wolves and Republic of Ireland winger Kennedy, who had been in charge since January, and his assistant Danny Butterfield have rejected contract offers.
A spokesman said: “The club would like to thank both Mark and Danny for their efforts at the Moss Rose and wish them well for the future.
“We will now begin the search for their replacements and will provide a further update in due course.”
It looked in June that Macclesfield had escaped the drop when the Covid-19 pandemic ended the season early. They had been docked two points, with four suspended, leaving them one point above Stevenage.
The relegation ends a two-year stay in League Two for Macclesfield, after they were promoted from the National League in 2018. The following season was plagued with a series of points deductions for failing to pay players and the postponement of games.