PAUL RUTHERFORD says the Wrexham board deserve credit for ensuring the club can continue to operate while the football season is suspended.

The National League campaign has been halted, and might not be played to a conclusion, due to the coronavirus pandemic that is bringing the world to a halt.

Director Spencer Harris has revealed that there are no “immediate concerns” for the future of the club and that Wrexham would be able to “ride out any storm”.

Winger Rutherford believes the people running the club should be applauded for putting Wrexham on a strong financial footing compared to other teams in the fifth tier.

“Wrexham are probably in a slightly stronger position than most Conference teams because we are a bigger club and we have got bigger resource,” said Rutherford.

“There is more available and it has been well-built in my opinion over the last few years in terms of fan ownership and the contribution of the whole community.

“It has been well-managed by the powers-that-be at the club; they have really looked after it financially and while I have not seen any books, Wrexham are probably in a decent position.

“That is just the feel I get from people at the club.”

Not all clubs are in a healthy position as National League rivals Barnet have laid off all of their non-playing staff due to the impact of the outbreak.

Rutherford knows that the suspension of football will have far reaching consequences for individuals as well as clubs.

“Your heart goes out to those people,” said Rutherford.

“Wrexham are probably in a better position that most but it is still hands to mouth whether that be clubs, players or staff.

“People aren’t flush with money and it is sad for those people at Barnet because they need a job.

“How are they going to get a job now and get through the next couple of months when people are having to close work-places? It is horrible.”

Several alternatives, including declaring the current standings final, have been discussed if games cannot be completed and the season comes to an immediate end as National League chiefs have indicated.

Lowly Wrexham, one point above the drop zone in 20th position with nine matches remaining, are battling to stay in the fifth tier and Rutherford is adamant that relegation and promotion issues can only be decided if the season finishes.

“Imagine if you are Fylde who are occupying the bottom four places at the moment and you are told ‘sorry lads, you are relegated’,” said Rutherford.

“If Wrexham were in the bottom four right now and we were told we were relegated because of that, there would be murder. It’s not fair, it’s not right and I don’t think that you can do that.

“I don’t think the legalities of that could work.

“If leaders Barrow were to get promoted, what would Harrogate say? I am sure that Harrogate firmly believe they are going to catch Barrow.

“You would have to resume the season because there are just so many loop-holes.”

Rutherford, like his team-mates, has been given a training programme to complete at home. It is debatable whether the season will resume but the winger is focussed on finishing the job off.

“I want to make sure that we achieve what we need to achieve at Wrexham this year," he added.