Athletic have already announced that Manager Paul Dickov will have to operate on a tighter budget for next season. The board of directors said last week that the money available to him will be reduced from the amount which was available for this season which has just concluded although he has also been told he can boost his funding by selling off those players he deems surplus to his requirements.
Alan Hardy commented, “I expect significant reductions in budgets for all clubs in our division. In January, MK Dons (Franchise FC) reduced their playing budget for the remainder of the season and also laid off backroom staff. Yet their results improved. The manager understands the situation surrounding the reduction. We have told him that there are ways it can be increased, such as our receiving other income we have not budgeted for.”