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By iain wilson | 27th January 2012

Budget cut blow for Sports as they take on leaders

MICKLEOVER Sports have been forced to make a budget cut on the eve of their trip to face Evo-Stik Premier Division leaders Chester tomorrow.

Manager Dick Pratley has been given a new, lower weekly sum to work to, with Sports 13 games away from the end of the campaign.

"Everyone in the club, including myself, has had to take a cut," said Pratley.

"I was given a figure to work with and spent last weekend with pen and paper trying to make it work.

"It was put to the players on Tuesday night – but, to their credit, none of them came forward at that point and said they wanted out."

The result was the same last night, when the club's directors met the players to explain the situation.

"We had a very positive and professional meeting and the players responded very well," said chairman Stuart Clarke.

"We lost a major sponsor last year and there's not as much money coming in as we would have hoped.

"We have imposed short-term and minor cuts to ensure that the club are able to move on again next season."

On-loan striker Danny Quinn has returned to parent club Hednesford Town – but Clarke said this would have happened with or without this week's cuts.

"Hednesford say they made a mistake with the amount they asked us to pay for Danny and wanted both to increase it if we extended the loan – and backdate the increase," said Clarke.

"We would not do that, so Danny has had to go back."

With Keiran O'Connell facing a six-week lay-off with an ankle injury, Alex Steadman suspended and Karl Ashton still at least a week away from a return after his ankle injury, Pratley has no strikers tomorrow – and may ask long-serving defender Marc Strzyzewski to play up front.
article courtesy of the Derby Telegraph

Comments (10)

  • David Gogo
    David Gogo - 4 months ago

    Just read the information in the Evening Telegraph. I am surprised and disappointed as the club do not have the highest paid players within Derbyshire non league football and was under the impression that money was coming into the club. On saying that as with any club you need success on the pitch and sadly this season at home results have not been good. I do hope that we can all pull together to help at this time. Tomorrow would be a good starting point - cmon sports

  • James Edge
    James Edge - 4 months ago

    Majority of the clubs in our league (and Div 1) are from towns much larger tham Mickleover and therefore have a larger audience to target.
    It is just unfortunate this season that we have had long term injuries to players adn therefore continuity has not been there. I do think that if we had our 1st choice team out we would be a comfortable mid table side.

  • Facts  not Fiction
    Facts not Fiction - 4 months ago

    Maybe a realistic budget for next season.

  • David Gogo
    David Gogo - 4 months ago

    I agree that the majority of the clubs in our league are towns but believe it or not as far as population/audience go roughly only about 6 teams have larger populations. Mickleover since the last census has increased dramatically we need to be asking why are they not coming to watch.
    Just for the record those with larger populations - Bradford/Chester/Stafford/Chorley/Worksop/Ashton/Kendal

  • James Edge
    James Edge - 4 months ago

    FC United (they have suopport all over the country), Buxton,northwich, chorley,cant think of any other off hand. Think Mickleover has a larger population than Matlock.

  • Robbie Raygar
    Robbie Raygar - 4 months ago

    One thing that stands out in my mind is the advertising for home games,living in mickleover I dont tend see the next home game given much prominence about the place maybe a bit more effort in letting people know there is a choice to following the rams.Anyway come on the sports bring on the Chester...

  • Paul Elston
    Paul Elston - 4 months ago

    Certainly agree with the marketing of the home games...... there needs to be more offers on admissions to tempt people in... lads and dads days.... buy one get one free days..... and far more advertising online or in the community or both than happens at the moment.

    I mean, at least one of the home games this season wasn't even put on the board at the Raygar Stadium main entrance because the name plaques were made in advance and there wasn't one for the team we were playing.

    As the hard workers get older and move on, the batons need to be passed and the hard work needs to continue with others, or the club will just fold anyway...regardless of the finances. But we can't just exist on finance alone.

    Times are hard for everyone, so quite what the magic formula to get people in... not just spending but supporting and rallying round.... is... I don't know.

  • James Edge
    James Edge - 4 months ago

    Unfortunately posters get torn down by people.
    Whenever I get a poster I usually get it in the window of the veg shop and also in the Derbyshire BS.

  • iain wilson
    iain wilson - 4 months ago

    With regard to the statement on the financial plans of the club, the budget at the start of the season was sustainable based on expected average income during the year.
    It then evolved that we had five home fixtures over a very short period which was out of the clubs control. On top of this the average gate has dropped significantly, which no amount of advertising would have altered. We also have had the situation where Derby have played at home on the same dates as Mickleover, this too has an adverse effect on the numbers through the turnstile. Placing this together has meant that the club has had to now endure a significant period which has resulted in little or no income, with bills still having to be paid.
    There is also the general situation of reduced capitol in businesses which has meant they will be much more careful where the capitol available is spent, hence reduced income from advertising and sponsorship and more reduced income.
    It has not been a case of bad money management. the budget is based on expected income for the forthcoming period, with this happening at the start of the season. We could not forsee the difficulties that would be hitting the club, and the level of reduced income. The financial plan would have been sustainable if the income had not dropped to the current level or the speed at which this has happened.
    The club has had to take this action to ensure its long term future, and with this in mind I hope you understand our need to take this action.

  • James Edge
    James Edge - 4 months ago

    Good post Iain

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