Wealdstone are considering placing the majority of their playing staff on furlough and seeking permission from the National League not to fulfill their remaining fixtures as they look for a financially viable way of concluding the current season.

In a statement to the club’s fans from Chairman Rory Fitzgerald, they confirmed that their only other option would be to get the club further into debt via loans and continue playing this season as they have been, without financial support from fans.

However, Fitzgerald also confirmed that they are awaiting clarification about the position of clubs in the National League, now that the leagues below, National League North and South have been declared null and void.

“We understand that a number of other clubs are contemplating options 2 & 3 [furloughing players or asking permission not to complete the season] however as a proud club and founder member of the National League in its original guise of the Alliance Premier League, options 2 and 3 are hugely unpalatable to us, however unlike option 1 [taking out loans to continue], they do not risk the future of the club in its current form. Options 2 and 3 also clearly impact the sporting integrity of non-league footballs top tier, especially if this approach is taken by a number of clubs.

“Decision making in the current environment is incredibly difficult, and at times, feels almost impossible given the lack of clarity and the changing landscape. Having returned to the National League for the first time in 32 years this season, one of our principal aims was to ensure we maintained our status for next season. We are awaiting clarification as to what impact the decision to null and void the National League North and South divisions will have in relation to relegation from the top division.”