National League South's Concord Rangers refuse to continue playing

Concord Rangers chairman Antony Smith said in a statement on Twitter that his club would not compete in any more league games until they were given “clearer information on financial support” for “the regular testing of players and staff”.

Smith also bemoaned that the National League were the “only ‘Elite’ competition” not to be frequently testing its players and staff.

The striking statement comes amid strong opposition from clubs to the news that the £11m Winter Survival Package will only be available as a loan rather than as a grant.

Since the National League met with clubs on Wednesday, it has been revealed that clubs have been offered three options.

The first is to take out a loan through Sport England, the second is for the National League to operate a loan which will then be distributed to clubs as a grant and the third being to suspend the season.

Three clubs across the National League North and South, Slough Town, Tonbridge Angels and AFC Telford - who York City face on Saturday, have publicly stated their desire for a suspension of the season.

Chester and Eastbourne Borough have said that they conditionally support option two, with the former stating “this is subject to the league providing satisfactory answers to a number of questions, including how the grants will be distributed, the impact on future central payments and how these will be calculated for each club.”

Elsewhere in the National League North, Darlington say they would back suspending the season unless regular Covid testing and promotion and relegation are secured and grants rather than loans are provided.

Division leaders Gloucester have called for “Parliament’s support to get the money granted for the full season”.

They say if that isn’t an option, then the season must still be concluded, potentially through a points-per-game and play-offs system or by shortening the season. City added that a suspension would be “pointless.”