Mahoney hopes Poppies will get the time to finish ground work

The Poppies were well on the way to meeting the regulations needed to ensure they could remain in the Vanarama National League North for next season – should they secure safety on the pitch.

The ground improvements, which include new turnstiles and a new 250-seater stand, originally needed to be completed by March 31 but work came to a halt with volunteers needing to adhere to the government regulations following the outbreak of coronavirus.

Poppies chairman Mahoney conceded the initial feeling of frustration was overtaken by the bigger picture but he is hopeful the relevant authorities will allow the club the right amount

of time for them to finish the job.

“It was initially frustrating when work was called to a halt as we were only days from completion,” Mahoney said.

“But that feeling was soon put into perspective when you consider what is actually happening.

“We have been in contact with the league and a number of ideas have been put forward for when things can be rescheduled but nothing has been confirmed yet.

“You would hope that, at the very worst, every club would be given the ‘lost time’ back plus a bit more, affording us time to get back up to speed and finish the works that were so close to completion.”

Clubs across the country have been taking measures to protect themselves financially during the period in which matches won’t be played.

The Poppies are no different and Mahoney insists any ‘central funds’ that are forthcoming will also be most welcome.

The Premier League last week announced that they would ‘advance funds of £125 million to the EFL and National League as it is aware of the severe difficulties clubs throughout the football pyramid are suffering at this time’.

And Mahoney added: “Thankfully the steps we have taken over recent years have put the club on a much better financial footing but the simple reality is that like every business we need money coming in to meet our bills.

“We are in talks with the league around any central funds that may be available to support clubs at our level but, as yet, we haven’t received any formal confirmation as to what this will entail or when it will be available.

“Hopefully we will learn more in the coming days but obviously if this support does materialise then life will be a lot easier.”

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