Chesterfield's National League rivals Macclesfield Town wound up in High Court over debts totalling more than £500,000

According to reports in the national media, the court heard that the Silkmen owed £190,000 in tax and a further £173,000 to former manager John Askey, and the same amount was also owed to a ‘financial lender.’

Macclesfield were relegated from League Two last season after being deducted a total of 17 points for three disciplinary cases including failing to pay their players’ wages on time.

The Silkmen appointed former Solihull Moors boss Tim Flowers as manager at the end of August and they have made a number of signings - including former Spireite Danny Whitaker just yesterday.

The rules state that the National League must have 24 teams so it remains to be seen what happens next, with a reprieve perhaps on the cards for Ebbsfleet United who were relegated last season.