During divisional meetings on Wednesday, it was confirmed to clubs the £11m package of financial support for January to March will be in the form of loans not grants.

While discussions continue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), the National League has asked clubs for their views on three options under consideration.

1. Clubs to apply for loans from Sport England. Applications assessed on an individual basis against strict criteria with loans repayable at 2% interest over 10 years with no interest or repayments for the first two years.

2. National League to operate a loan from Sport England to be distributed to clubs as grants. This would impact on future central distributions as the National League will be responsible for repayment. Grant applications would be assessed based on need and the National League has committed to have an open and transparent distribution model.

3. Suspend the season. An immediate break in the season to allow clubs to access the furlough scheme with a decision on how to resume taken at a later date. There will be no loans or grants available to clubs, however those experiencing financial hardship can submit independent applications to Sport England for support.

As a club we have been clear and consistent in our view that playing behind closed doors was not viable without grants. This was the basis upon which we decided to commence the season in October and remains our position.

We can confirm we have responded to the National League advising we are prepared to consider continuing the season on the basis outlined in option two, but 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.

We would also want to understand what support will be available for clubs to implement COVID-19 testing to bring the health and safety of our league in line with the EFL and Premier League as this remains paramount, and how this will be funded.

Like you, we are supporters of our club as well as custodians and our desire and hope is that we can continue playing, however this cannot be at any cost.

The failure to honour the assurances given to clubs when agreeing to start the season without fans and the unfair allocation of grants covering October to December, as well as the decision not to publish the findings and recommendations of the independent review panel, has placed many clubs in an unacceptable predicament.

It’s sad to report that former chairman Ray Crofts has died. Crofts joined the board of directors in 1980. Following the resignation of Eric Barnes he was made made chairman in 1989 and will be best remembered for overseeing the club’s two years in exile at Macclesfield before returning home to the newly built Deva Stadium. He remained chairman before having to step down in November 1993 due to ill-heath. • Obituary

Just when they thought they’d secured three points with an 89th minute wonder goal from Jamie Morgan, Chester were denied victory at Bradford (Park Avenue) as the home side struck back in added time to share the points.

In a game played in appalling conditions of heavy rain and a blustery wind on a 3G Horsfall Stadium pitch, the Blues raced into a two goal half-time lead through Danny Elliott, who missed a penalty but scored from the rebound, and John Johnston who chipped in from the edge of the box.

But soon after the break, with the wind now in their favour, The Avenue were level with two goals in four minutes as Luca Havern scored at the back post from a corner, before top scorer Lewis Knight equalised before injuring himself in the goal celebration and being substituted.

Both sides created chances and with a minute of normal time left Jamie Morgan controlled a ball with his chest before smashing home an unstoppable 25-yard volley past Dan Atkinson in the home goal. Chester almost added a fourth but substitute Adam Nowakowski blocked the effort.

But back came Avenue in stoppage time, and Nicky Clee’s far post cross evaded Louis Gray and was turned into his own net by Josh Askew to complete a remarkable game.

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.

We the undersigned clubs therefore call on the Secretary of State Oliver Dowden, the Department of Culture, Media & Sport and The FA not to betray the trust National League clubs placed in them by agreeing to commence the season and to ensure the additional £11m in support is in the form of grants not loans.

Chester kicked off the new year with a 3-0 home defeat of AFC Telford United, completing the festive double over the Bucks.

The Blues opened the scoring as early as the eighth minute with a first goal for the club by Josh Askew, coolly finishing after being put through by Declan Weeks. The visitors saw plenty of the ball in the opening period and both sides created chances but the Bucks were reduced to ten min in first half stoppage time as defender Lee Vaughan saw red for a challenge on Lee Clark.

Chester made their extra man count after the break and doubled their lead through Weeks on 56 minutes. The points were wrapped up 15 minutes from time as Anthony Dudley scored his fifth goal in as many matches.

Two players reached personal milestones in the match, captain George Glendon made his 50th appearance for the club and Simon Grand his 100th.

Victory lifts Chester to third spot, though they have played more matches than those sides around them. They are back in action on Tuesday night with a home game against 20th placed Guiseley, kick-off 19.45hrs.