Restores my faith....

[Simon BTFC]

... in human nature!

 

Soccer: Players' pay cut to help Town plight

Billericay Town players have made a superb response to the cash flow problems at New Lodge.

 

The club revealed a fortnight ago that they would be unable to continue their current level of finance until the end of the campaign and that some players would be leaving.

 

Long-serving Chris Moore has been the only departure so far, switching to big-spending Division One North promotion hopefuls Hornchurch.

 

But there have been no definite moves as yet for the three contract players -- Paul Fewings plus brothers Mark and Richard Graham -- who were transfer-listed as part of the cost-cutting exercise.

 

In fact, Fewings is one of a quartet of first team men who have opted to take a pay cut rather than leave the Billericay fight for a best ever finishing position in the Premier Division.

 

The others are Russell Penn, Jerome John and Ollie Adedeji and manager Gary Calder said: "I think their actions go a long way to showing the great spirit that exists among the team.

 

"It's a side of the game that might surprise some fans who tend to think that football at this level is all about money."

 

If Town are to finish in a top six placing -- they are currently ninth with games in hand on many above them -- a six-point haul over the next four days against sides battling against the big drop would be mighty handy.

 

Tomorrow they go to Boreham Wood to take on Enfield before visiting Hitchin next Tuesday evening.

 

They could have new injury problems tomorrow. Jamie Wallace and Gary Ansell continue to be missing, while there are major doubts about young Danny Gilley, who has performed so admirably at the heart of defence recently.

 

If Gilley fails to make it Nick Savidge could come in or Penn be switched to partner Adedeji in the centre of the rearguard with fit-again Gary Henty coming in at right-back

 

[Simon BTFC]

From the recorder:

 

I'm so sad to leave Moore

BY GARY HAINES

LONG-SERVING defender Chris Moore admitted that he was shocked and saddened to be off-loaded by cash-strapped Billericay late last week.

The 30-year-old centre-back signed for ambitious Division One North promotion-seekers Hornchurch and made his debut in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Northwood.

"Obviously I was very sad to leave but it wasn't my choice," he explained. "I know there were certain players listed but they are cutting their budget and someone had to go.

"It was a bit of a shock," he added. "I get on very well with manager Gary Calder and it was with a lot of regret that I left the club.

"I had no indication from anyone. They just told me that they needed to get a few players off the wage bill and that someone had come in and I could go and talk to them."

The Australian-born Moore played over 300 games in a six-season spell at New Lodge and has also had spells at Canvey, Bishop's Stortford and Dagenham.

There was no fee involved Moore was a non-contract player at New Lodge and the big defender is relishing his new challenge at the home of the Urchins.

"The place is brilliant and it's really exciting down there," he said. "There is everything to play for this season. It's a challenge and it's good to get involved.

"Billericay had the best defensive record in the Ryman League and hopefully I can reciprocate that at Hornchurch.

"The reason I joined Hornchurch was to get back to the Premier Division. There's a lot to work on but we've got a lot of teams in the lower half of the table to play."

 

And he paid tribute to the New Lodge faithful, many of whom are scratching their heads at the club's current financial predicament.

"I'd like to thank the fans for their support over my five years. I had a great time there and hope to see them soon.

"I'll remember some of the cup runs but the whole experience was great."

 

Life without their defensive kingpin started with a battling point at struggling Heybridge on Saturday.

Town led through an Andy Douglas goal before Paul Abrahams snatched a point for Swifts at the death.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding several players at the club the Graham brothers and Paul Fewings remain on the transfer list Town recorded a morale-boosting victory at home to Basingstoke on Tuesday.

But the poor turn-out at New Lodge to see Town win with a 20th minute penalty from Mark Graham suggests the fans are voting with their feet.

Town take on two of the Premier Division strugglers this week.

They travel to Boreham Wood tomorrow (Saturday) where they meet Enfield and on Tuesday they visit Hitchin

[Rod]

Now that some of the players have shown great commitment towards the club, time for some of the stayaway supporters to as well starting tomorrow at Enfield. Only a short journey on the M25 to Boreham Wood and back in time to watch Chelsea/Arsenal in the cup.

[Ryan.c]

Agree with that. You don't hear of many footballers taking pay cuts at our level, so for our four to do so to help the club out is an act that surely deserves a bit more support, me-thinks!

[c'mon ricay]

hats to the players who took a pay cut

[GazzaBTFC]

Yep, well done. How about buying all the supporters a drink as well.....?

 

But seriously, well done. Does restore your faith in human nature.

[GazzaBTFC]

Oh and I would say, how about some of those stay away supporters showing the same spirit and come back and support the team through thick and thin, eh?