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**