Conference clubs feel financial strain

The financial perils of Nationwide Conference football have been made plain this month as a number of clubs have revealed that they are struggling to pay the bills and are facing severe cutbacks.

The financial perils of Nationwide Conference football have been made plain this month as a number of clubs have revealed that they are struggling to pay the bills and are facing severe cutbacks.

During the last two years an increasing number of Conference clubs have taken the plunge and introduced full-time playing squads as they chase the prize of promotion to the Nationwide League. But now that trend seems to be in reverse as low gates and minimal television income, when compared to the sums Third Division clubs receive, have forced some sides to reconsider.

Telford United have been committed to both a redevelopment programme at their Buck's Head ground and a full-time squad, but they have had to admit that they have been over-ambitious. All their players have been put up for sale and they will revert to part-time status next season. "Overheads continue to far exceed income," their chairman, Andy Shaw, explained.

Bottom of the Conference, Scarborough are struggling off the field as well. The Seadogs gained both a new chairman and a new manager last week. The former Notts County manager Russell Slade has arrived to take charge of team affairs in place of Ian Kerr, who reverts to youth-team coach.

Scarborough's new chairman, Malcolm Reynolds, has paid the players' wages, which were two weeks overdue, but is only prepared to keep the club afloat in the short term.

Boston United went full-time in the summer but are now facing cutbacks. The Pilgrims' chairman, Pat Malkinson, has admitted that the financial burden has become too great and his board will cover costs only to keep Boston going for another two years. He is actively seeking new investors.

Leigh RMI are slashing their squad in order to save money while Dover Athletic seem set to go into administration.