Chester chairman Andrew Morris has suggested that there could be as many as 12 clubs in the National North League that could struggle to finish the season if the next round of support is in loans as opposed to grants.
"There are so many questions that come with loans," said Morris as reported by the Chester Chronicle.
"What would be the repayment terms, and the interest? The FA and National League are not a bank, they are not set up to provide loans so how would it work?
"Also, the way that our model is set up, we can’t take on debt. There would be far too many unknowns and clubs are living hand to mouth already.
"If there is no central support in the form of grants, I reckon 12 to 15
clubs won’t finish the season in the National League North. From
conversations I have had with other clubs, I think there will be clubs
struggling to see the month out if something isn’t forthcoming.
"At the start of the season, we were very clearly guided by the National League that we would receive central financial support in the form of grants to allow us to start and complete the season.
"At the time it was hoped that spectators would have been allowed in. That’s not been possible but we have been reassured throughout the process that we will receive financial support.
"We, in partnership with other clubs at our level, need that to be in a grant form to ensure that football is sustainable at this level.
"We are days to weeks away from sporting integrity becoming a farce at this level where clubs will be unable to field competitive teams if they are unable to pay the players’ wages."
National League’s interim general manager Mark Ives, who started two
weeks ago, has told Chester that he is hopeful of news this week.