Stones Shock: Walker hartened with initial player response despite cut-backs

MAIDSTONE UNITED joint-manager Alan Walker has revealed his players accept the fact that they will have to stomach pay cuts.

News that the Ryman Premier League club was being put up for sale broke on Wednesday night and joint managers Lloyd Hume and Walker met the players on Thursday night to tell them the bad news.

“Obviously it has been a very difficult week at the club for everybody from the Chairman and the Board of Directors right down to the supporters following the news that our club is being put up for sale,” Walker told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

“There have been a lot of people who are uncertain as to what this situation means to them personally and that is only to be expected.

“However, as far as I am concerned personally, I have spent five years at Maidstone United and I have developed a great affinity to the club in that time.

“Lloyd and myself spoke with the players at training on Thursday night and following this meeting, Lloyd, me and the Chairman are all extremely heartened by the initial player response to the situation that we find ourselves in.

“The main thing that has come from the players is that there is a commitment to stay and play for Maidstone United Football Club.

“Personally I remain very positive given the commitment of my players but having said that there are a significant number of players that will have to move on to pastures new, as the current financial situation at the club cannot support our current playing budget.

“I’m not prepared to put a figure on the budget cut but I will say that it is significant. If we don’t make this cut then the future viability of the club will be brought into question and as Maidstone United’s manager I am not prepared to let that happen. Of those players that do stay there will have to be pay cuts agreed and accepted.

“At the moment I cannot say which players will be moving on and my phone is ringing constantly.

“Undoubtedly, fans will have opinions on who they want to stay or indeed to go but at the moment nothing is certain and what may be the plan today could easily change by tomorrow.”

Two players have already left the club - but that was before the news broke.

Pacy winger Seb Schoburgh left to join rivals Ramsgate and Neil Smith has taken up an assistant manager’s role at Ryman League Division One South side, Croydon Athletic.

Walker paid tribute to the former Gillingham star - and former Welling United boss.

“I’d like to thank Neil for his effort and commitment during his time with the club,” he said.

“He left on Tuesday (before news of the sale of the club was announced) to take up the role of assistant manager at Croydon Athletic.

“Neil is amongst the best professionals I have ever worked with and I wish him every success with his new club.”

Article courtesy of www.maidstoneunited.co.uk