The current Coronavirus Crisis has many clubs fearing for their very financial future. But many including Dover Athletic boss Andy Hessenthaler believe that there could and should be more financial help filtering through from the Football Association, the Premier League and the Football League.

Speaking to KSN, a clearly frustrated and at times annoyed Hessenthaler said, “The only thing that I will say is that – and I get frustrated – is that the football family as a whole, the financial problems that we’ve got, could be filtered down from the Premier League, and I’ve said this to the League Managers Association as they asked my opinion recently – the money that the Premier League have got and you remember the number of Premier League players who have come through our system in terms of Jamie Vardy and the boy Antonio at West Ham just to name a couple, who have come through.”

“I came through the system although I certainly didn’t play in the Premier League – I played in the Championship! Also, the Premier League has used the National League to give some of their younger players match experience as they go on loan.”

“Don’t get me wrong, it gets for us to use them, but we’re helping them in their development so surely, it’s now time that we come together – we’re a full-time professional League and we need some help. And I think that it should have been done, or still possibly can be done!”

Following the abandonment of all football below the National League, Hessenthaler wasn’t sure if the governing body had indeed made the right decision.

“I think that the FA have set themselves a dangerous precedent with this decision,” the Dover boss conceded.

“The real biggest problems are the contracts as nearly everyone has players out of contract at the end of the season which remember as far as we’re concerned is the end of April early May.”

“So, if the Leagues are going to continue until when some have said into June and potentially July then what are we supposed to do with the players out of contract?”

“I read this week that the Boreham Wood Chairman said that he was going to have six players left as the rest are out of contract, so how can they finish their season unless they are forced to use their Youth section?”

“There’s so many complications that I really wouldn’t like to be in the FA’s shoes to make a call on this because there are so many variables.”

“Look at Barrow, the League Leaders, who are four points clear of Harrogate and have been there most of the season, and if the season becomes null and void or doesn’t finish then this season is worthless. It’s going to be tough on teams like that, but they are the calls that have to be made at some stage – it’s going to be difficult!”

Hessenthaler then turned his anger to support the club where it all began for him – Corinthian FC – who have been told that their SCEFL title challenging season is over, but their FA Vase Semi Final with Northern League side Hebburn Town has not been cancelled and “might” be played; the not knowing equates to a decision that has frustrated and bewildered Hessenthaler still further as he explained, “It’s not right! They’re my old club who I started for before going to Dartford – to have an opportunity for the players and the club itself to get to Wembley and it might not happen is just… that’s where it’s going to be really tough, but they’ve got to solve that situation surely.”

“For them not to have that opportunity of not getting to Wembley after all they’ve put into the run is just plain crazy!”

Hessenthaler ended by issuing a message to the club’s supporters. “Stick with us!” the Dover boss said, “I don’t do social media, I don’t do Twitter, I don’t do Facebook – it’s not me; I’ve never done it!”

“But I’ve got feedback from some of the players and a lot of the staff who do, and the fans have been so supportive. One guy and his family have put together a web page to raise money for the Football Club and you can’t thank those sorts of people enough – that’s fantastic – it’ll go a long way!”

“It’s tough on them as they just want to see Dover play football again like all football fans do with their own teams. So fair play to the Dover fans who have helped the Football Club – I know the Club will never be able to thank you enough – they’re the sort people we want to get through this and be back playing football for delivering performances for people like that!”