IF there is an award for non-league’s best supporters then Wrexham and Chester’s loyal fanbases will surely be on the shortlist.

Both clubs have launched a scheme to raise important funds for the future with football facing an uncertain time amid the coronavirus crisis.

Wrexham revealed Unite To Save The Town, while Chester have launched Boost The Budget.

And supporters from both clubs have more than played their part in the early stages of the schemes.

The Reds announced that they had reached the £15,000 milestone, while the Blues have taken their total to over £26,000 in just a matter of days.

It’s no surprise that Chester joint-boss Anthony Johnson lauded the Blues’ fans for their support after they passed a quarter of their £100,000 target.

Johnson told the club’s official website: “The fans at Chester are the best supporters Bernard and I have ever encountered.

“We appreciate that with us being a fan-owned club we are asking the same people to put their hand in their pocket again and the fact they keep doing it shows what the club means to them.

“The fans have backed us since the day we arrived and continue to back us. That means a lot to us and we appreciate every contribution made to Boost the Budget.

“We’ve seen the levels of support the club has and that really excites us as managers when we think about where we want to take the club.

“We want to be clear that Boost the Budget isn’t about raising money for a short-term fix, this is part of a longer term plan and will allow us to put things in place to get the club back to where it wants to be.”

Chester’s average home crowd this season has been 2,019, which is bigger than National League leaders Barrow, and 13th overall, while Wrexham sit third in the standings with an average of 4,057.

Only Notts County and Stockport County, both fighting for promotion to the Football League, have averaged more than Wrexham, who endured their worst ever season.

Dean Keates’ men slipped to the bottom of the National League having battled it out in the play-offs in the 2018/19 campaign, but still the fans turned out in their numbers.

Wrexham Supporters Trust fundraising team released the following statement as the UTST scheme reached £15,000 less than 24 hours after passing the £10,000 mark.

The statement read: “Two weeks ago, the WST Fundraising Team launched Unite to Save the Town, an initiative to help raise funds for the club to help continue operating during these uncertain and difficult times.

“As part of this, five per cent each will be donated to Nightingale House Hospice and Awyr Las to help them continue the fantastic support they offer to people when they need it most.

“Once again, fans of Wrexham AFC have come forward to show their fantastic support of this fundraising drive and take up the rewards that are on offer or simply just donate.

“The fundraising team would like to thank you for already raising over £15,000 to help in these difficult times.”