A LETTER signed by a National League representative has warned of a "collapse of the National League structure", if clubs do not receive financial backing from the Government.

Clubs in the National League, including York City, were preparing to start their season to crowds of a limited number from this weekend, until the Government decided to halt crowds attending matches hosted by 'Elite' clubs.

Clubs in Step One and Two will get their seasons underway this weekend, though there remains no confirmation of any financial support being given to them as has been called for by many in the sport.

These include Lord Faulkner of Worcester, the vice-president of the National League, who signed a letter to DCMS secretary Oliver Dowden earlier this week.

It read: “We wrote to you in May this year setting out the financial crisis facing football clubs, and particularly those in the English Football League, because of the loss of match day revenue resulting from the government’s policies to combat COVID-19.

“It is no clear that spectators will not be back in EFL grounds, even in limited numbers, for the foreseeable future.

“As a consequence clubs will not only lose this budgeted for income, but will also have to refund season tickets to fans who will now be prevented from attending matches.

“There has been no agreement reached by football authorities on a bailout for clubs that need it, many of whom where already heavily indebted before the coronavirus arrived.

“From the statements made by ministers at DCMS questions in the House of Commons on 24 September, it is equally clear the government has no current proposals to provide financial support, and nor is it prepared to offer any guarantees for the future.

“Without any plans being made to rescue football clubs, many in the EFL and others in the National League as well, are now actively preparing to make all but essential staff redundant, cease playing, close down their youth academies and community foundations, and put their business into administration.

“This could lead not only to the failure of many many historic community clubs, but the collapse of the National League structure that we have known for over one hundred years.

“These are decisions that will be in the coming weeks, with many clubs unable to meet their payroll obligations for the next month.

“There is still time to act, but not long left. The government made £1.5billion available to rescue arts and cultural organisations across the county that faced closure because of the coronavirus.

“We believe that football, like other well-loved professional sports in this country, is also a cultural activity.

“We would ask that the government now make clear what financial support it’s prepared to give before it is too late.

“In particular, we believe that in order for clubs to sustain themselves over the winter and keep playing, they would need to be compensated for the loss of match ticket sales.

“The absence of this income is not a result of their actions, but the policies that have been put in place by the government in response to a public health emergency.

“The government itself needs to take responsibility or many already-embattled towns will lose their focal point.”