CHESTER FC are expected to learn more about what participating in the National League North play-offs entails today.

The National League’s ordinary resolution was supported by clubs on Wednesday, which meant that the final standings were settled on an unweighted points-per-game basis.

Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s Blues, who are closing in on raising £50,000 via their Boost the Budget scheme, therefore finished sixth in the National League North and qualified for the end of season lottery.

A statement from the National League said: “The end of season play-offs will now proceed with the clubs that qualify, subject to the competition rules and the applicable government guidance on the phased return of elite sport.

“The number of clubs to be relegated from the National League will be determined so as to maintain a National Division of 24 clubs after any relegation from EFL League Two, promotion to EFL League Two and promotion from the National League North and National League South.

“There shall be no relegation from Vanarama National League North and Vanarama National League South.”

Chief executive officer Michael Tattersall added: “I congratulate each of our champions clubs on their successful campaigns.

“The enforced curtailment of our season does nothing to discredit the quality of the football played and I am pleased that our clubs have overwhelmingly supported the award of their titles.

“We can now also look towards the completion of end of season play-offs.”

However, it’s not that simple with the cost of participating in the play-offs could be over six figures per team when testing, disinfecting grounds and taking players and staff off furlough is considered.

This afternoon’s meeting will hopefully clarify the exact cost of participating in the play-offs and allow each club to say whether they want to take part.

At least four of the six qualifying clubs need to say they are willing to take part for the play-offs to go ahead. If only five agree to participate then the two lowest qualifying teams would play an eliminator, with a straight semi-final shootout if just four teams opt to return to action.

As it stands, Chester, who revealed their new home kit yesterday, are set to visit Altrincham in the first round of the play-offs with Kevin Wilkin’s Brackley hosting Gateshead in the other preliminary tie.

Should they win, the Blues would then visit York City, who missed out on automatic promotion to King’s Lynn, in the semi-finals with Boston awaiting the winners of the other tie.

Matches are pencilled in to start by July 18 and finish by July 31.

York City’s players are believed to be returning to training on Monday ahead of their potential semi-final, although the Minstermen have launched a petition in case the play-offs don’t take place.

Steve Watson’s York are calling for new regulation that protects the amount of promotion places if a season is curtailed early and the play-offs don’t take place.

Havant & Waterlooville, Weymouth, Bath City, Slough Town, Dartford and Dorking Wanderers are due to take place in the National League South play-offs.

Both the National League North and South play-off have to agree to stage the play-offs.