Harry Maguire and Billy Sharp in talks over charity donation by Premier League stars

Lots of footballers have made individual donations, some anonymously, but the lack of a grand gesture has caused widespread unease during a week where clubs are increasingly furloughing, laying off or cutting the pay of non-playing staff.

Friday saw the Premier League, Football League and others meet over how football should respond to the crisis continues, and the League Managers Association release a statement stressing it understands the pressure the coronavirus is putting clubs under and wants to play its part as talks about the way forward for English football continue.

Talks have been ongoing between the players' union, the Professional Footballers' Association, and the leagues to try to find a unified approach to wage cuts or deferrals if possible, with the pressure mounting for them to be seen to do their bit. On Thursday, health secretary Matt Hancock joined the clamour for Premier League players to do their bit.

Matches have been suspended until at least April 30 as a result of the pandemic, and the loss of income is proving damages for a whole range of businesses, including many football clubs.

A number of players have taken to social media or other channels to defend their profession, and it has emerged that the 20 top-division captains have discussed possible wage deferrals or cuts or a move to contribute to a charitable cause, most likely the NHS.

The LMA is actively involved in the talks, but so far its members have been seeking solutions on an individual basis with their clubs. They want the wider public to understand they appreciate the gravity of the situation.

“Our individual members are all acutely aware of the challenges the game faces, and the need for everyone to play their part in limiting the impact this situation will have on the future of the game and the viability of individual clubs,” read an LMA statement. “There is no standard contract system for managers and coaches in the game, but across our membership there has been significant progress, on a club by club basis, in negotiating individual contractual and salary arrangements with managers, including furloughs, cuts and deferrals.

“In the main, clubs have engaged with discussions and negotiations professionally and pragmatically. Through their proactive approach and by the numerous instances of managers engaging in local, national and international community and charity initiatives, our members continue to demonstrate their commitment to their clubs and to their communities as a whole.”

On Friday, Doncaster Rovers became the latest Yorkshire club to furlough staff during the crisis, in their case players as well as non-players. Under the Government's Job Retention Scheme, furloughed staff will be put on leave while receiving 80 per cent of their wages. Like Bradford City, Huddersfield Town, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday, the club will pay the remaining 20 per cent. Other clubs, most notably Champions League side Tottenham Hotspur, have not made this promise.

York City's entire staff, including players, have also been furloughed, and while their wages will not be topped up by the Conference North leaders, chairman Jason MacGill has promised to pay the 80 per cent if they do not return to work when the Job Retention Scheme comes to an end. At present, there is no timescale for this.

Former Sheffield United and Hull City defender Harry Maguire is captain of Manchester United, who are believed to have agreed to donate 30 per cent of their salaries to the NHS. The Blades' captain is also Sheffield-born, centre-forward Billy Sharp.

Leeds United's players and their manager Marcelo Bielsa were amongst the first in England to unilaterally agree to a wage deferral to preserve lesser-paid jobs at the Championship club.

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