Dryden admits recruiting players has been tough this summer

Worcester City manager Richard Dryden is expecting to miss out on signing ex-Stoke City midfielder Tom Thorley.

Dryden admitted he is finding it difficult to compete financially with clubs of a similar standing.

"We had been looking at Tom but I think Stafford are going to take him which is a shame as he is another local lad," he told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

"He is going to go to Worcester University as well but sometimes it is quite hard to compete."

Earlier in the summer City missed out on signing Matt Birley, who opted for lower-graded football with King's Lynn rather than joining the Blue Square South club.

Dryden told BBC Hereford & Worcester everyone knows that City have a very tight budget and it has been a frustrating summer.

"It does become hard work when that happens but you grin and bear it," he said.

"You get on with it and move on to someone who you can get and who wants to come and work hard.

"At the moment I have got 12 or 13 signed on and they are all very enthusiastic and have got a fair bit of quality," he added.

It's a new season and we are not the only club in financial trouble Richard Dryden

Dryden has admitted City are going to have to operate with a small, young squad this season and he knows it could prove to be a tough campaign.

"It's a new season and we are not the only club in financial trouble," he said.

"At the moment we look pretty solid and hopefully I have got one experienced player coming in next week to agree terms.

"That would be a massive help to us on the pitch and if we can build on that I am pretty confident we can pick up a lot of points."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version