AN online fundraiser boosted Chester FC's coffers by more than £2,000 as fans rallied to help the club deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week the National League North side issued a stark warning that it could soon be in a position where it is unable "to fulfil its financial obligations" due to the loss of revenue from home games, Liverpool WSL fixtures and the cancellation of the end of season awards event.

On Saturday (March 21) the club organised a Chester FC E-Matchday online event which simulated a home matchday and gave fans the chance to purchase virtual food and drink, The Cestrian programme, and matchday admission.

Further fundraising events are set to take place in the coming weeks – including another online matchday event this Saturday – to generate much-needed cash.

The club said: "Chester FC are delighted to announce that £2,171.80 has been raised during today’s E-Matchday Fundraiser!

"Throughout the day, we were aiming to raise as much money as possible to help the club through the current climate.To every single person who donated, took part in the quiz or even spread the word, we would like to say thank you.

"Your fundraising efforts have been fantastic in such difficult circumstances. We aim to do another E-Matchday Fundraiser next Saturday, with a live stream of a classic match from 3pm. Stay tuned for more info on that front!"

In a statement last week, Chester FC confirmed it is likely to run out of cash in the "foreseeable future" due to the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

The club said: "The final financial implications of COVID-19 are in the process of being calculated but include a range of issues beyond the club's control such as the postponement of our final league games – alongside the associated loss of matchday income these would generate – the cancellation of the end of season awards event, cancellation of scheduled Liverpool WSL Fixtures and several other income generating initiatives which can no longer take place.

"Once these calculations have been concluded they will be shared with the National League and with the CFU members at the earliest opportunity.

"What however is apparent even at this preliminary stage is that the current financial situation faced by the Club is every bit as serious as the financial challenge faced by the Club in 2018.

"Whilst as a football club we are not unique in facing financial challenges at this time – it should be remembered that as a fan owned Club we are unable to enter into debt and remain reliant on our supporter base to fund the Club.

"As Chester FC supporters might be aware, we operate with a limited cash reserve and the preliminary projections show that these reserves are likely to be spent in the foreseeable future and without injection of capital prior to the 2020/21 season we are left in a situation where the Club may not be able to fulfil its financial obligations.

"We remain in dialogue with National League around both from a footballing perspective around arrangements for this season and in regards to any potential financial support that maybe forthcoming via them.

"What however is becoming apparent is that footballing rivalry for this season in Non-League has become a battle for survival rather than success on the pitch."