MATLOCK Town joint-boss Phil Brown has revealed that he and management partner Gareth Williams have talked with "ten to 15 players" about joining the Gladiators for next season.
The Geoquip Stadium outfit are keen to avoid the relegation dogfight they became embroiled in during 2007/08, which saw them finish 16th, just a point outside the relegation zone.
“We've spoken to loads of players but it's very early days yet,” re
vealed Brown. “We've some very good players that we want to keep at Matlock, but we've talked with ten to 15 players already.
“At present they're hedging their bets but there's certainly a few interesting ones in there.”
However, he warned: “The one thing that has become more and more apparent to us is that it gets tougher and tougher.
“Every year clubs' budgets appear to be going through the roof and then new clubs in the league certainly look like having very decent budgets. and it's the same for a lot of the existing clubs in the division.
“So we know it's going to be difficult, but if we can strengthen by bringing in three or four new faces to join the players already at the club, then we can have a decent shot at having a good season.”
Halifax Town's financial troubles mean they could be facing the Gladiators in UniBond action next season, but at the moment it is still unclear as to which division the Shaymen will compete in after they went into liquidation last Friday, thus losing their place in the Blue Square League.
The knock-on effect is likely to see Altrincham receive a third reprieve from relegation from the Blue Square Premier, while Hucknall Town look set to stay in Blue Square North in spite of finishing third from the foot of the table.
The full article contains 308 words and appears in Matlock Mercury newspaper.
