Vickers boss Foley feels the credit crunch

Vickers boss Paul Foley is looking forward to the club’s pre-season programme and is pleased with his side’s preparation, ahead of their inaugural Ryman League Division One North campaign, which kick’s off on 15^th August.

“The pre-season programme has gone very well so far and we are pleased with how the squad is taking shape,” Foley told www.vcd-athletic.co.uk.

“There are so many options available to us at the minute and the turn-outs for each session have been excellent.

“To date there has not been one absentee from last season despite reading about player's having 'signed' for other clubs!

“We have been very fortunate in the last 3 seasons insofar as players don't want to leave as they enjoy it so much here.

“This year has been no different but now that we have a squad of over 22 players to choose from I fully expect a few to move on to be guaranteed first team football.

“That is the way it has been here for the last two seasons, its a tough team to break into, I'm just glad I don't play for the team I manage!'

When asked about the budget for this year the former Maidstone United and Ramsgate title winning captain was typically candid in his response.

“The budget this year is effectively lower than it was for last year in the Kent League when you include the additional travel and games,” said Foley.

“It was not the highest in the Kent League that’s for sure as I know of a few that were higher but it will be considerably lower than some of the Ryman North sides as I know a few of the managers in the league and what they are paying out.

“In that respect it is a little disappointing as we would love to have a bit more to have a go having won the league but the club won't fall into the trap of cutting our throats and putting ourselves at risk for the sake of a few quid.

“It will affect the dynamics of the squad a little but we will deal with it in the same we do everything else that is thrown at us and just get on with it!

“There isn't the money there used to be in non-league football so our club which has never been a 'money' club anyway should be no different I guess.

“You only have to look at the demise of my first club Fisher Athletic to see how quickly things can change having to drop from the Blue Square South to the Kent League due to financial problems.

“That is a real shame for a club steeped in history like the Fish but maybe if they'd had a few of our careful committee on their board they would not have been in trouble!''

When asked what affect these budget constraints would make to the squad for this season, Foley responded, “It can sometimes affect the type of player that you can attract to the club but we have managed in the last three seasons to get some real quality down to play for us without paying out big money.

“This season is no different as we have managed to attract quality players who have played higher but who are willing to just play for us and not chase a pound note.

“That is very refreshing and we will continue to try to unearth these types of players as well as bringing through our excellent home-grown talent who are obviously cheaper too.

“Players like Jack Parkinson who, at 18, got very little money playing for us two seasons ago but has gone on to earn decent money in the Blue Square South with Welling are good examples of what can be done if you give young lads a chance.

“We have got about five more like Jack coming through who are going to get better and better with us before they are eventually snapped up by bigger clubs.

“We can't compete with these clubs financially but we get the benefit of them while they are here and we will simply replace them with the next generation of players, hopefully winning a few games on the way'

When asked if more established players will be leaving Oakwood because of the pay freeze, Foley replied, “We may see one or two leave if they are offered more to play down the road but as stated before, we have so many options at the moment we can adapt the squad accordingly.

“I am turning people away at the moment rather than scrambling to get lads down.

“I can't stop players signing for other clubs if they want more money and nor will I to be honest. To date, the attitude of the players to the budget news has been spot on and the majority of the squad is done and dusted including someone who was meant to have signed for someone else!'

Looking ahead to tonight’s clash against Andy Ford’s Wings, and welcoming Parkinson back to Oakwood, where he coaches, Foley is expecting to field some new faces.

He said: “We should see a few new faces on the pitch on Tuesday in what should be a tough game.

“We will be ready come the 15th August and the squad will be even better than it was last season I am sure.”

Meanwhile, the Ryman League fixtures are published at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.

Article courtesy of www.vcd-athletic.co.uk 

VCD Athletic  v  Welling United
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 14^th July 2009
Kick Off 7:00pm
At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN