Dartford manager Alan Dowson says big spending in non-league game is unsustainable and future of some clubs is at risk

Dartford manager Alan Dowson fears there will be a major reality check coming soon in non-league football.

The Darts boss has warned the amount of money being paid out by clubs is not sustainable.

He was speaking with genuine fears over whether Southend will get through the coming season in the National League and on the back of neighbours Ebbsfleet’s £1.7million annual loss being revealed.

“There will be a reality check, it has to come,” stated Dowson. “These clubs can’t keep getting into debt, it has to go pop at some point.

“Look at Southend, they’re the biggest club in the National League and they could go pop soon. They won’t be the last, I’m not daft about how the non-league world is working. Our club has to hold its nerve.

“Look at Ebbsfleet losing millions of pounds, a big club like Southend on the brink of going bust. There will be a lot more where Southend are, and a lot more losses around what Ebbsfleet have got in the National League.

“That’s the way of the world but somewhere along the line someone has to say we can’t do this anymore and I think it will happen.”

Dowson believes the way Wrexham, Notts County and Stockport have gained promotion back to the Football League in recent years has further cemented the desire of clubs to splash the cash.

But with limited promotion spots available, not everyone can get to the promised land each season.

Dartford, who started again in the Kent League in 1993, take a different approach.

“Ebbsfleet lost £1.7million and that can’t be sustainable, it’s half-scandalous for a club to be honest,” added Dowson.

“If a club gets promotion, that’s great but if you do it with a big loss, then there’s something wrong.

“At the end of last season, we didn’t have any debt from that