'Government may have to give National League £20m for clubs to survive' during coronavirus outbreak

That is the view of Dagenham and Redbridge director Steve Thompson.

The National League season has been suspended until at least April 3 but that is likely to be extended.

The Premier League and EFL announced this afternoon that no games will be played before April 30 at the earliest.

“There needs to be a concentrated effort,” said Thompson told BBC Sport.

“I don't think we can expect a bailout from the Premier League or FA, so it needs to be government led.”

The EFL has announced a £50m short-term relief fund to help clubs during this uncertain time but Thompson says that is not possible for the National League.

It was reported earlier today that the National League chief executive, Mike Tattersall, is to put forward a plan to the FA for a £17m financial safety package for the 68 clubs in the top two divisions which would amount to just under £250,000 each.

Thompson said: “The National League are trying to get figures together - this can't be set in stone but the sort of figures I am hearing at the moment will be £15m to £20m.

"We have gone from having reasonable income to no income and that is a massive, massive job.

“I think the government realises that when we do eventually get through this, non-league clubs and League One and League Two clubs are going to be part of the fightback for our communities.”