Cash-strapped Corsham stop paying players (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Cash-strapped Corsham stop paying players

10:46am Thursday 20th November 2008 in Football By Iain Liddle

Cash-strapped Corsham Town have decided to stop paying their players.

Chairman John Gingell called the squad into a meeting after training on Tuesday night and told them they would no longer receive match fees or any bonuses.

He explained that the cuts were necessary to avoid the club spiralling into debt and the situation will be reviewed at the end of the season.

“We knew times were hard but this was the last thing we expected when they called us in,” said shocked striker Dan Sloan, who joined from Devizes Town at the start of September. “I thought it might just be another fine from the FA. I don’t think the manager even knew until the same time we did.”

The players were told Saturday’s win over Downton would be the last game they would receive a fee for. But they are still owed wages from earlier in the month.

Gingell fears some players may now consider their future but said the main thing is that the club survives.

“What’s most important is that Corsham Town stays afloat. Nobody is bigger than the club,” he said.

Defender Jamie Lyons, currently in his second spell at Corsham, said he will stick by the club.

“The money I earn from football is just a bonus, not life or death,” he said. “Unless Manchester United come in for me, I’ll continue to play here.”

Sloan added: “They are asking the playrs to be loyal but some of us only joined at the start of the season,” said Sloan.

“It’s not solely about the money, it just doesn’t feel like the club is there to support you.”