As a member of the management team, I can asure all supporters that attempts were made to get Nicky back to the club. Unfortunately we can't compete financially with some fellow Conference North clubs in terms of salaries. Much as Nick would have loved to have returned to the club, when significantly increased terms are offered, then "family comes first". Other targets have been identified, but even at our level of football, ££ talks. I can assure all the supporters that efforts continue to strengthen the squad in all areas of the pitch. Hope that clears a few things up.
I thought there was extra money available to keep us up? I presume the Watmore add on money was nearer 10k than 100k then? Another kick in the teeth!
All that has been said as far as I know about "the Watmore add-on money" is that it was a five-figure sum. £10,000 is precisely that. As with ordinary budgeting, it's always safest to assume minimum figures rather than speculate & enter telephone number territory.
I'd rather hope that the person doing the budgeting would know the actual figure and not have to contemplate it on the forum.
Although given the last 12 months i'm not sure what to expect. And you're right, we should consider it was 10k, although i'd argue that wasnt worth bragging about in the first place unless you thought it would really make a difference, so far it hasnt.
I'm amazed that we cant compete and attract players if we are 'doing all we can' because surely that would mean we are stretching through the break even point here to give the manager as much room to move as he needs. An extra £100 quid a week for someone til the end of the season? no brainer, just go for it, we can penny pinch some other time when we havent got a squad full of lemons to cart around.
I have a feeling that we might have already spent large chunk of the full seasons budget signing players that wont last the course like a certain foreign import who had no gig and was willing to train with us to get a deal, yet was still mysteriously signed on a 4 month contract, springs to mind.
Regardless of the outcome of this season we need to remember where we are right now and ask some serious questions when we are digesting the catalogue of errors that has led us here. Our mysterious playing budget issues are a big worry, nevermind the big boys of the league, we're now worried we cant even compete with any other team in the league full stop. They arent all bank rolled and they all have better squads than we do!
Jesus???