Non-League football's return 'not viable' without crowds, says Brakes chairman Scott

But the Brakes supremo knows any action at Step 2 will not be “viable” until the green light is given for fans to come back into the grounds.

In a recent update to their 68 clubs, the National League confirmed that August 8 remains the official start date for the 2020-21 season but that it will ‘inevitably need to be reviewed and updated’.

They also said ‘it is assumed that it is not practical and sustainable to commence the new season if matches are to be played behind closed doors’.

That assumption seems to be firmly in line with the way the vast majority of chairmen are thinking.

Fans are continually debating when non-League football may be able to get under way again following the Covid-19 outbreak, given that social distancing rules appear to be here to stay for some time.

Brakes chairman Scott said: “I stopped thinking about that two months ago if I am honest!

“I said right at the outset that I thought it would probably be Christmas, then I brought it back a bit, then I said we might not play again next season.

“The reality is, just like everyone else, I don’t really have any clue at the moment and there’s no point trying to second guess anything.

“You can plan as much as you want and look at all the scenarios you want but until we get crowds back it’s not going to be viable.

“As much as we all love football and want to see it back on the pitch, it would be financial suicide for clubs at our level to try to play behind closed doors.

“We couldn’t do it, there aren’t the finances to do it unless a club has a wealthy benefactor who hasn’t been hit by what has happened over the last few weeks.

“It’s just not possible.”

The National League have confirmed they are hoping to hold their AGM in August on a date to be confirmed and it is set to take place by video conference and with formal votes performed by email.