A host of politicians and football figures have warned the Government that lower-league clubs will soon collapse without urgent support.

A letter co-signed by 17 individuals, including former Football Association bosses, has told Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden that the entire structure of the national game is at risk.

It comes as clubs at Carlisle United's level anxiously await news of a potential rescue package, with fans not allowed to attend games for months because of a rise in Covid-19 infections across the country.

There have been calls for the Premier League to offer a bailout to clubs lower down the pyramid who will be hit hard by a loss of matchday income.

United are among many clubs who have called for swift help, with chief executive Nigel Clibbens having warned of a £1.2m hole in their finances if fans remain locked out until next March.

The gravity of the situation nationally has now been underlined in a letter signed by ex-FA chairman Greg Dyke and Lord Triesman, Football Supporters' Associaition chairman Malcolm Clarke and 10 MPs including Damian Collins, former chairman of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee.

Former player and pundit Robbie Savage has also signed the letter along with Sunderland co-owner Charlie Methven. It warns that there is still time to help but "there is not long left".

The letter says: "Without any plans being made to rescue clubs, many in the EFL and others in the National League as well, are now actively preparing to make all but essential staff redundant, cease playing, close down their youth academies and community foundations, and put their business into administration.

“This could lead not only to the failure of many historic community clubs, but the collapse of the national league structure that we have known for over one hundred years. These are decisions that will be made in the coming weeks, with many clubs unable to meet their payroll obligations for next month.”

The letter called on the Government to set out what financial support it could offer, and denied it was the "sole responsibility” of the Premier League to help.

It pointed out that top-flight clubs also “face swingeing losses from lost ticketing receipts and falling revenues from broadcasting matches”.

Dowden told Andrew Marr on the BBC on Sunday that the Premier League needed to “step up to the plate” to help clubs in the EFL.

He said he was hopeful of a deal being agreed this week.

EFL chairman Rick Parry has said up to £250m is needed to make up for lost gate receipts.

He said the League were "in dialogue" with the Premier League but they were also "exploring other sources".

Parry has attempted to allay fears that Leagues One and Two could see the 2020/21 season curtailed.

Speaking in the Daily Mail, he said: "We need to remain calm. It’s really important that we actually preserve this season and we really make every effort to make sure League One and League Two get completed.

"They have got to remain relevant. They have got to remain in people’s minds.

"Any talk of giving up or throwing in the towel is not in my vocabulary at all. The first objective is to get the season finished, get it away and face the challenges. I don’t see [the season not being able to be concluded] at the moment but that is not to minimise the challenge."