It might be full steam ahead with Wrexham Football Club's glamour takeover but there are fears the National League season could grind to a halt.

All clubs in the National League and north and south divisions have been told that future funding to get them through the coronavirus crisis will be issued in the form of loans and not grants.

A total of £11m from the government's £300m rescue package for sport will be available to clubs over the next three months but that will only be as a loan agreement.

Talks are due to take place this week with the National League and member clubs about what steps they take next.

It could see the league suspended to see if the virus subsides across the country or, with none of the clubs yet to reach the halfway point of the season, it could mean this campaign is declared null and void.

Chester were among a number of National League North clubs who put pressure on the authorities to help them survive as they issued a statement last week.

Their joint statement reads: “When National League clubs agreed in October to start the season playing behind closed doors, this decision was based on reassurances that grants would be provided to compensate for essential revenue lost from fans not returning on 1st October.

“Had these assurances not been provided then many Clubs at our level may have taken the decision not to commence the season.

“Matchday revenue from supporters attending games and its associated income streams are the lifeblood for our clubs. We are grateful to the Government, The FA, and the National Lottery for recognising this and the roles our clubs play in their communities. We thank them for the grant support we have received to date.

“The initial package of £10m was to cover the first three months of the season with the clear understanding that grants would continue until it was safe for crowds to return. There was absolutely no mention of loans at that time.

“We have all worked diligently to comply with elite sport protocols and ensure a prudent approach to financial management based upon the reassurances given in October."