It is tighter than ever at the bottom of the Championship with eight games to go.

Six teams could feasibly be at risk of the drop into League One and the price of getting things right — or wrong — is huge. Rough estimates suggest that falling out of the second tier costs an immediate drop off of around £7million ($8.5million), and that is before taking into account spending on players fit for a promotion push in the league below.

Throw into the mix unpaid wages at Wigan Athletic, takeover uncertainty at Huddersfield Town and huge losses at Cardiff City, according to their latest set of accounts, and the backdrop to the fight for survival looks even more chaotic.

This is a quote from ‘The Athletic’ – it describes a situation endemic to football clubs at most levels, including our own level.

I use it for the instruction of all those who think there are simple solutions to a club’s fortunes.

In our own league we have heard of huge losses, problems paying wages on time, late lodging of accounts and we have seen currently unsuitable grounds requiring large investments in basic infrastructure, poor pitches and facilities and all this to a background of rising costs from bags of potatoes to utilities and a desire from all quarters for greater investment in players.

There are no easy solutions facing clubs and as we are clearly in a relegation struggle, the siren voices of critics float to the surface. Sack the owners, fire the managers, find better players.

At heart, every fan and every official or team member is doing their best here to swim against this financial tide, but what we need is a radical rethink of how to survive and prosper in these shark infested waters. It’s a league where York City, Stockport County and Altrincham have struggled to escape and one where full time clubs with big financial backers like South Shields, Macclesfield and Worksop are wanting to play. We are in a community where 20 thousand crowds couldn’t save the Bulls from losing Super League status.

At Horsfall we have a long lease, some useful ground improvements and the basics of a forward-looking business structure, based on local community, youth investment, giving  parents alternative pathways for their kids. It is a concept based on development and requiring local commitment to all the anchor users at Horsfall. We have a very few, hard-working individuals striving to create success.

For football generally there is a need for new ideas and new business models. What it isn’t is short term fixes and longer term debt and we must learn to live with some of the consequences that may bring.

At Boston last week we saw a club that had a ground to sell, a council that supported their relocation and support from the Football Stadium Investment Fund which has created an excellent facility (still short of one stand) and a club with no big competitor clubs nearby. Their pre and post match rooms were excellent and full; they attracted 1500 for the game and had numerous employees helping to create success. They had adjacent 3G pitches and large car parking areas. Having watched the game we were unlucky to lose and that was a widespread view around the locals too.

Here are few comments this year from National League clubs:

 ‘’I’m in my fifth season at the club, but I don’t have the resources or the time to take the club any further,” Mr Biddle said. “I am 61 and still work at my business on a full-time basis. 

“I’m still very committed to the club. What we have achieved is incredible really, but we really could do with some help from fresh investors just to sustain the level we are at now. I would stay and help if needed, but I would also be prepared to sell the club to someone capable of keeping us at our current level or maybe take it further.

Peterborough Sports owner’s quote.

Their ground would require high costs to meet the 3000 capacity requirements, despite their successes on the field.

With the global economic situation and the demands of developing my overseas business, I have concluded that I am unable to give the club the focus it will need in the coming months years. Therefore, I will be formally stepping down as Chairman at the end of the season

Gloucester City Co-Chairman quote

York City interim manager Michael Morton has expressed his frustration at the uncertainty surrounding his future with the club, after suffering a 3-1 defeat against Wealdstone. Morton has been in interim charge for ten days now, after replacing the sacked David Webb. ‘But with very little communication from the ownership of the club with regards to the managerial search, Morton is becoming frustrated with a lack of direction from those above him.’

Stories from this year.in NL, which go to show that clubs at this level face financial problems and are often seeking new investors.. It’s getting harder to finance football clubs at every level. Clubs must create confidence from their local communities and fund ideas and facilities that compete with a myriad of different entertainment sources. We have a plan to improve our facilities, develop young players and create more local interest in the club. Staying in the NL system is part of that plan. As a fan, all that is important to me.

There’s a regular cycle of clubs being either very fortunate or in poverty. It transcends the leagues. No club is exempt, from Derby County to Bury.

Southend are facing a winding-up order from HMRC (sounds familiar!) and Wrexham are being financed by Hollywood millionaires, in the same league. Both former league clubs facing different futures currently.

Scunthorpe have just changed ownership, to the delight of their fans, as have Oldham, both relegated last season, but hoping some new funds are forthcoming and can change their fortunes.

Luckily there is no shortage of armchair critics who know how to run football clubs, change managers and pick players. For them, problems are caused by owners, managers and players who refuse to listen to their advice and who fail to put someone else’s money where their mouth is.

Back in the real world we welcome our latest loan players and Academy lads to the first team squad and hope they can soon set about winning games. Most teams are heading for two-game weeks now, so it’s a good time to have more choices.

Congratulations go to Will Longbottom on his extended deal. He is certainly playing well this season and scoring some much-needed goals now he is getting plenty of game time in.

**Notes from Chester on 25th February, sorry for the delay – Admin**