Saints boss seeks budget assurances (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Steve Castle wants budget assurances for Saints

10:10am Thursday 8th April 2010 in Sport By Simon Mail

St Albans City manager Steve Castle wants to know his budget constraints for next season before he commits his long-term future to the club.

The Saints have been crippled by budget cuts in recent weeks which has led to players not being paid and a cluster of departures including James Quilter, James Lindie and Drew Roberts.

Castle said: "I just want to see the season out and we'll take it from there. It would be nice if we could get some assurances of what the budget would be for pretty much the whole season. It's been a real tough slog.

"I'm not making myself out to be a martyr but it's a hell of a lot of time out from family life and I certainly don't do it for the money. Family life is very important to me and all I want to do is compete and give the club a chance for success.

"I know we're not going to be the biggest budget in the league but this is a Conference South club and we need to have a budget comparable with a Conference South club.

"I'm not expecting budgets to be coming out of our ear hole but I do want us to be giving lads a fair amount of money if they put themselves out like we all do."

Reflecting on the most recent player exits, Castle said: "We just can't afford James Quilter and James Lindie is the same problem. I've had to cut things and we won't be allowed to keep Jake Beecroft either. It's frustrating but it is what it is."

The Saints crashed to two heavy defeats over the Easter weekend. City lost 4-2 at home to Bishop's Stortford on Saturday despite goals from Gary Cohen and Ian Dunn. Castle's side, on his 150th league game in charge of the club, followed that up by losing 3-0 at Hampton and Richmond Borough on Monday.

The manager added: "We've been knocked down a few times financially with people going and it was obviously the final punch putting a few of them down.

"I knew wholeheartedly that the budget had to get cut but [going into the weekend] there was still an opportunity with six games left to get to 70 points. I understand their [players] situation but if they want to play at a higher level than this, for me money's got to go out of the equation and you've just got to want to go over that white line and win a ball."

Admitting it has been his most difficult season in charge, Castle added: "It hasn't been easy for the lads, I can look at that quite objectively but I think personal and professional pride can take you into certain situations.

"I can understand their grievances. To go down with no assistance with transport to places like Lewes and Bath it's not easy but they're not just playing for their futures at St Albans. They have to finish the season and see where that takes them. They're good lads. A lot of them are just playing for the football club which is a great statement for them."

The Saints travel to fourth-placed Braintree Town on Saturday as they seek to halt their run of three consecutive defeats.