Former Portsmouth and Coventry man Michael Doyle speaks on the potential 'travesty' Notts County, Hawks and National League could face

But the former Pompey midfielder understands why some clubs are not in favour of seeing the campaign through to a conclusion.

The Notts County captain, preparing for an FA Trophy last-16 tie at Hawks on Saturday, has spent the past two seasons outside of the Football League for the first time during his career in England.

He opted to remain with the Magpies despite their relegation from League Two in the 2018-19 season.

Doyle, now 39, is determined to help the club return to the EFL but doubt is cast over whether he'll be able to do that this season.

The National League has been thrown into chaos following news that the latest Government funding support would arrive in loan form.

It's created a gulf between clubs across the three NL divisions of those who are happy and able to continue playing while others claim it's not financially viable for them to complete the campaign.

Both South and North divisions are due to return this weekend after a two-week suspension.

But, as things stand, clubs are providing the National League with responses to a survey sent out on whether they complete the season with a final answer yet to be delivered.

Doyle said: ‘There’s a lot of talk about leagues being cancelled and that, I just hope for the players and the clubs that they manage to finish these seasons.

‘There’s a lot of hard work that’s gone in at clubs from players and staff and owners trying to get the leagues started.

'I just think it would be such a shame now for leagues to be finishing after 20 games, no promotions and relegations, it’ll be a bit of a travesty for the non-league level if that was to happen.

‘It’ll be a long break until next season, it’ll be a real shame.

‘I just feel sorry for the National League North and South to be stopped.

‘It’s a big hold up.

‘The reason the season started in October was because they thought the fans were going to be back.

‘We probably lost out on a lot of time and games there as the season wasn’t started as normal, but nobody knew what was going to happen.

‘We’re well in now and it’s important for the integrity and that to try to finish it if we could.'

Doyle has friends involved in playing and managing capacities below the National League level.

It looks as though the 'non-elite' campaigns are going to be declared null and void for a second straight season.

But Doyle believes that verdict could deal a detrimental blow to clubs - and it would hurt if the National League was forced to follow suit.

'It would be brilliant for everybody if you get promotion and relegations and come through these tough times,' added Doyle.

‘The most important thing for any football club is getting through it.

‘I can understand both sides of it, so let’s see what happens.

‘I’ve got friends - players and managers - further down the pyramid and it’s just tough for everybody.

‘They’re all just disappointed because further down the pyramid they didn’t do points per game and teams didn’t get promoted or relegated.

‘To have that for two years, it’ll be tough for a lot of clubs to come through that.

‘You could end up losing a lot of clubs on the back of two seasons not being finished.

‘It’s a very fragile situation.'