Where's the financial help? Lewes chairman wants answers on government aid

It was promised to clubs at step three to step six – like those in the Isthmian League and Southern Combination – before Christmas. But there is still no news of who will get what – or when.

And there are fears clubs will only be offered loans, which Fuller says wouldn’t be much better than a payday loan.

Lewes’ Isthmian premier division team haven’t played since the start of November and hopes of avoiding a second straight season being written off are fading fast.

So with the period in which they will have had little or no income about to stretch to more than a year, government cash help for clubs at their level is vital.

But Fuller said: “We’ve heard nothing and I’ve written to our MP Maria Caulfield about it.

“We’d hoped for clarity and details before now. We’ve seen National League, Football League and Premier league funding put in place and significant money going to the arts.

“Non-league football has a huge place in the community and there will be clubs that can’t survive or won’t be able to restart in August.”

The Sussex Express has been asking Sport England – appointed to oversee the administration of the £14m – but many have gone unanswered.

Fuller said the question of whether the funding would be in grants or loans was vital, adding that expecting clubs currently struggling with no income to take on debt was like asking them to take a paydayt loan, albeit with more reasonable interest rates.

He said the furlough scheme and rate relief had been a great help but extra funding was needed.

The debate comes as Isthmian clubs have their say on whether the 2020-21 season should be declared null and void.

The Isthmian League board have said they believe it should be terminated and Fuller is not optimistic about the chance of it being finished.

He said: “Personally I don’t think we’ll be playing competitive football in the next six months.”