AFC Portchester still waiting for Winter Survival Package cash – almost two months after Government announced a £300m boost for 11 sports

But Royals' chairman Paul Kelly remains confident they will see the funding - despite it now being nearly two months since the Government's announcement.

The large sum was made available to offer support to 11 major spectator sports amid the pandemic in the form of loans and grants.

Rugby Union received more than a third of the £300m fund with £135m going into the game from the RFU, to Premiership and Championship clubs and all the way down to the grassroots level.

Other sports included in the package were greyhound racing (£1m), badminton (£2m), Ice Hockey (£4m), basketball (£4m), netball (£4m), tennis, motorsport (£6m), rugby league (£12m) and horse racing (£40m).

Meanwhile, a £28m fund was an option for football clubs from step three to six level (£14m), women's football (only Super League and FA Championship) as well as National League teams (£11m).

Operating in the Wessex League Premier Division - step five standard - Kelly revealed Portchester applied for a grant given the continuing financial struggles brought on by lockdown restrictions.

'We have applied for it but nothing has been received as yet,’ he said.

‘I can’t remember (the exact figure), it wasn’t a lot, but anything helps at this stage.

‘It’s just going through the process as we speak.

‘All clubs have got bills to pay and other things’ although the season isn’t actually being played, you’ve still got rent to pay.

‘The pitch has still got to be cut and maintained; even though we’re not playing on it, it still has to be worked on.

‘I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t get it.

‘I think every club that pays into the FA via affiliation should be entitled to something.'