National League clubs have been told they will receive emergency government grants in order to start their league campaigns this weekend, with supporters no longer able to attend matches.

Officials from the league have been in talks with the government as they look to find a way to cover losses incurred by fans not being permitted to enter National League grounds due to a rise in the number of coronavirus cases.

Last week the government scrapped plans for a partial return of spectators from 1 October.

Clubs from across the National League’s three divisions had said they did not want to begin their league campaigns this weekend as scheduled without supporters, with matchday revenue playing an integral part in covering their running costs.

However clubs received an email on Tuesday from the league’s chief executive Michael Tattersall, who explained that the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) was “working at pace… to design a package of support that will give the National League the reassurance it needs.

“This will include grants to cover essential revenue lost from fans not returning on 1 October as planned.”

Clubs were also told “the government recognises the immediate pressure National League clubs are under in respect of starting their season and are committed to play resuming in a viable way”.

While the size of any grant is yet to be revealed, the BBC are reporting that it could be in the region of £2-3million per month.

Wealdstone’s league season will kick off as planned on Saturday with them hosting Chesterfield in their first game back in the fifth tier of English football for 32 years.

Fans will not be permitted to attend, but the game will be streamed online.