The following is a statement from chairman Mike Burke.
“We wish to reassure fans that the board is supporting Brendan in bringing in new players for the upcoming season. It is a very competitive market and there are always clubs that will be in a position to offer better terms, perhaps because of the way they are owned or through 3G pitch income etc.
Sporting, of course, is mostly funded by fans. We have to be self sufficient; it may be frustrating at times, but you only have to look back to Bromsgrove Rovers to see why the club was set up to be this way.
The club does have a great following and that has allowed us to provide a competitive player budget over the last few years, resulting in the success we have enjoyed.
Despite COVID and the loss of income over the last months, and not knowing what gates to expect come the new season as personal circumstances may change for some, the budget has NOT been reduced from last season.
We have lost players, and although with some of them it is disappointing, no player is bigger than the club and, as mentioned, we have to live within our means and look after the future of the club, while still continuing to be ambitious.
Looking at how things were going during what little there was of last season, perhaps it was time for a ‘freshening up’ of the squad?
There is also a lot of activity off the pitch as is usual this time of year, not least the long needed renovation of the Rousler Bar. Thanks go to all the volunteers who have worked many long hours to make this, and other maintenance jobs, possible.
We are pleased to welcome O’Neills as our new kit partner for season 2021/22 and we will soon be launching the new kits. Circumstances meant that we didn’t do the usual yearly alternating of the home and away kit, so this season will see the launch of both, with the home kit expected to be in place for two seasons.
Thanks again to the volunteers for being there, and thanks to fans for their patience. Lets now look forward to the new season and to building the next generation of fans’ heroes!”
