Bognor have healthy future - but want fans to forget that and concentrate on coronavirus fight

The coronavirus pandemic that is sweeping the globe means football has been affected at every level but Cook says he has been buoyed by the response of Bognor fans who, by and large, have been able to "get the bigger picture".

Many non-league clubs are struggling to balance the books in light of the season being on hold. Manager Jack Pearce and coach Robbie Blake last took charge of the Rocks in a 2-0 BetVictor Isthmian League win at West Sussex rivals Horsham – thanks to goals from Tommy leigh and Harvey Whyte – on March 10.

The victory left them in eighth position in the table having played 32 games. All matches have since been suspended and the Isthmian League is now proposing their season is terminated. It's not known yet if it will be written off completely or if points per game gained so far will be used to work out final placings.

In the wake of the inactivity, some clubs have taken to measures to try to attract revenue. Examples of this include reduced season-ticket offers for the new campaign, JustGiving pages and appeals for businesses to take advantage of cut-price sponsorship opportunities.

But Cook says he feel that now is not the time to highlight the financial matters at a football club. He said: "We all know that in the normal scheme of things football is very important but these times are anything but normal. The late, great Liverpool manager Bill Shankly is often quoted as saying, 'some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that' -- but, in reality, this isn't the case.

"The nation's well-being is absolutely the most important thing to preserve in these trying times and our only role as a club and as supporters and members of the club, is to strive to try to help achieve this.

"It is perfectly understandable that other clubs look at schemes to try to inject some revenue into their accounts given that we have had no matches since the seriousness of the outbreak became clear earlier this month.

"Yes, we too are very much feeling the pinch but excellent housekeeping over the years means we are okay at the moment. We have been able to strip back our outgoings and we will now wait it out like everyone else.

"When we return to Nyewood Lane and our beloved game we hope to be able to continue with a number of exciting projects in the pipeline that will enhance the facilities at the ground, but they are on ice at present as we recognise there are more important things afoot. Luckily, the supporters I have spoken to agree with this stance and they very much get the bigger picture. As often is being urged these days, we are not panicking."