‘We need to finish the season – even if the league has only got 14 teams’ – boss of Hawks’ National League South rivals Dorking

White - who is also the manager of Hawks’ National League South promotion rivals - has called for 'business champions' to be appointed in a bid to help clubs find ways of saving costs in order for the campaign to be completed.

Both National League South and North divisions are currently suspended until Friday, February 5 because of the fallout from £11m of government funding being awarded as loans rather than grants.

A number of clubs across the sixth tier took a stand last week and called for the campaign to be halted in a bid to get the decision on financial support overturned.

As a result, the National League suspended all fixtures in both South and North divisions on Friday. They are now hoping enough MPs - acting on behalf of their local clubs - can persuade the Government to change their mind.

White, whose club are second in the South table, is adamant alternatives now need to be found in order for the season to be completed.

He would welcome restarting in the South, even if not all 21 clubs wanted to play on.

Speaking to his club’s website, White said: 'What you’ve got to think about is this, would you rather have a season that was expunged or would you rather one that was a bit different? This needs to finish.

‘It’s got to finish in some way, shape or form and sometimes you can’t find a perfect solution.

‘I just hope that all clubs can work to a general consensus.

‘Yes, it’ll be strange if it’s a 14-team league but, do you know what, it’ll get the integrity of there being a winner, it’ll keep the promotion/relegation at this highest tier of non-league football, commercially it keeps clubs like us to retain all of our revenues, the National League themselves will be keen to retain their BT (Sport) revenues as well.

‘Unless they get the grant there is not going to be a one-fits-all situation. But, what you can do, you can actually keep everybody happy - you actually can.

'I completely feel the pain of the clubs in the league for feeling let down by the previous leadership which was abysmal and lacked direction and integrity, in my opinion.

‘But I’m really confident now in this division, this league doing the right thing.

‘For me, I think we have to be in a position whereby clubs are advised as to how they can cut their own cloth. There are a lot of ways that clubs can save money.

‘What I really want to see is, if we can’t get grants, let’s appoint essentially a business officer if you like, to maybe look after 10 or 15 clubs - like a business champion.

‘Let’s work individually with all of them to see what they can do, if anything, to continue and if they don’t want to continue at that point then let them opt out. It’s as simple as that.'

White was due to take his Dorking side to Westleigh Park this Wednesday but instead has arranged a friendly with fellow South side Ebbsfleet United. That follows a 2-0 friendly win last weekend against AFC Wimbledon under-23s, with ex-Hawks striker Alfie Rutherford among the scorers.

White - whose squad also includes ex-Hawks regulars Wes Fogden, Jason Prior and Ed Harris - insists it's in 'everyone's interests' for seasons to be concluded.

‘I think it’s now time for the National League to get serious in the respect of what I would call business-related advice and decision-making,’ he said.

‘There are a lot of things clubs can do to aid themselves playing and I think there’s advice and support needed.

‘We massively want to finish the season for all the money and all the commercials that have gone in. But I do respect those clubs in a different place.

‘But, again, I would ask them to look at the wider picture as well.

‘It’s a very diverse league with lots of different dynamics.'