Danny Livesey says football's elite should be offering assistance to non-league clubs to steer them through the coronavirus crisis.

Many non-league sides are currently facing significant financial shortfalls, with league campaigns at all levels suspended because of the current public health emergency.

A lack of matchday revenues, allied with the possibility of players' existing contracts expiring in the event of an extended season, are pressing concerns for many clubs outside the Football League.

And veteran Chester centre-back Livesey would like to see top-level clubs pledge their support in such challenging circumstances.

“I've thought for a long time that Premier League and top level Championship clubs should twin up with one or two non-league sides and support them through what's happening,” said Livesey.

“Lots of clubs in the lower divisions, not just Chester, are going to be hit hard and financial help from elite teams would go a long way in helping them survive.

“Most clubs at our level are working with players on 44-week contracts, which would run out if the season drags on into May, June or longer.

“So if the season is extended, then bigger clubs could step in and help to pay player wages for a limited period.

“It would help non-league clubs out massively in the short term until things get back to normal.”

A first-team regular for much of the 2019/20 campaign, Livesey has been a solid performer in the heart of defence.

Now 35 and among the Blues squad's most senior players, Livesey admits that his appreciation of the game has grown keener with age.

He added: “I have absolutely loved this season. I feel like on the whole, I've played really well and haven't had too many bad games at all.

“As a footballer you never know when it's going to be your last season and I've loved and savoured every minute of it so far this year.

“Everything about this season so are has been great - the bosses I'm playing for, the squad we've got here now and the fans.

“Obviously there's a bigger picture and more important things going on right now, but concluding this season properly would mean everything to me.

“I'm not saying this season would be my last, but you never know what's ahead in football, particularly when you're at the stage of your career that I'm at.”

Chester's hopes of clinching a National League play-off place remain in limbo, with league action suspended until at least April 3.

With time now to reflect on the season to date, Livesey is relatively content with Chester's current seventh-placed standing.

He said:“We had a bit of a wobble in the last few weeks before the season was suspended.

“That happens to everyone at some point in the season, though.

“Look at King's Lynn who've set the world alight this season - they had a wobble themselves lately and dropped points in games they were expected to win comfortably.

“Altrincham had some struggles early in the season, but have picked it up since then and are now just ahead of us in the table.

“Personally, I felt our season could have been better and could have been worse.

“Going into the final 10 games of the season we needed five or six wins to have guaranteed the play-offs.”