Budget reduced to sustainable level as pay cuts are put in place

By Adrian Kajumba - full stories in today's

Cash-strapped Eastleigh call for player loyalty


EASTLEIGH director of football Dave Malone has called for a show of loyalty from the club’s players after they were told they will have to take a wage cut from next month.

The bad news was delivered to the playing squad and coaching staff at an emergency meeting late on Monday in response to The Spitfires losing “a six-figure sum” of income from sponsorship as the effects of the credit crunch begin to take hold in the non-league game.

That financial hit was compounded by two cup defeats last week, which cost the Stoneham Lane club £10,500 in prize money.

Director of football Malone also predicted that, with the loss of gate receipts from at least two additional ties, the club has missed out on a total of £20,000.

The double financial whammy resulted in the club having to come up with a way to “reduce the (wage) budget to an amount we are confident of sustaining.”

A club statement on the Eastleigh FC Message Board read as follows:

"EFC Board members held a constructive and informative meeting with all members of the playing and coaching staff on Monday evening.

At that meeting it was explained to all present that the present economic climate had led to a considerable reduction in our sponsorship income. This in turn has made in necessary for us to review our football budget for the remainder of this season.

The Board has decided to reduce the budget to an amount that we are confident of sustaining. In order to achieve that objective, and in preference to the release of several players, we have taken the following action.

(1) The immediate release of Warren Goodhind - who was a non contract player

(2) Loan arrangements will be sought for several other non contract players

(3) A proportionate salary reduction - which will remain private - will be implemented throughout the playing & coaching staff from 1st November."

The Board is appreciative of the manner in which this news was received, and understands the discomfort that this might cause. However, in the long term interests of Eastleigh Football Club we consider such a move to be both prudent and necessary."

Eastleigh boss willing to take pay cut


EASTLEIGH manager Ian Baird has urged everyone connected with the club to try to stick together during difficult times for the Spitfires.

Baird said he was “more than prepared” to lead from the front and accept the wage cut offered to the players and coaching staff by the club because “the most important thing is Eastleigh Football Club."

The club came to that decision after losing a “six figure sum” in sponsorship income, and suffering two cup defeats in the last week at an estimated total cost of around £20,000 to the club.

And Baird said: “It hurts deeply what’s happened. But what’s happened has happened and you can’t do anything about that.

“My message to everybody at the club and the supporters is let’s try and stick together. We are desperate to do well for Eastleigh and we will try to do our best for Eastleigh.”

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/football/3757155.Cash_strapped_Eastleigh_call_for_player_loyalty/

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/football/3757177.Eastleigh_boss_willing_to_take_pay_cut/

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