Chester City face the prospect of not being allowed to start the new season after having their licence application refused by the Football Association.
City went into administration in May, following their second demotion from the Football League in nine years.
The Blue Square Premier club were then bought back by their former chairman Stephen Vaughan.
But it is understood that the FA has concerns over the set-up of Vaughan's new company.
FA compliance officer Neil Prescott has been in touch with the club to advise that they should cancel their pre-season friendlies.
But City managing director Rob Gray said the club are hopeful they can resume with their pre-season plans soon.
"We have to adhere to certain rules and regulations from the FA transferring the membership from the old company to the new company," he said.
"That's what we're working on as we speak. Our solicitors are in consultation with the FA to finalise all the relevant paperwork that needs to be processed.
"Obviously that will be reverted and hopefully sooner rather than later we can rearrange our friendlies and carry on with the football we need to play.
"All the relevant paperwork today has been sent across to the rightful people so hopefully by Monday we'll have a clearer picture of how it stands and we'll move forward accordingly."
Chester appointed a new manager Mick Wadsworth earlier this month to replace Mark Wright, who had been working without a contract after returning to the Deva Stadium for a third spell in charge last November.
Wright resigned following City's relegation, frustrated by the hard-up club's lack of funds available to him.
And Wadsworth has already made his first signings, as well as lining up several other transfer targets and sorting out contract issues with the squad he has inherited.
