Hinckley United chairman Kevin Downes says this season is purely about stabilising the club and retaining their Blue Square Bet North status.

The club were facing closure last season because of an unpaid tax bill.

And although they have taken big steps off the pitch, a reduced budget means they have won just five league games from 20 this term and are in 16th spot.

"We had to slash the budget to stay in the league and make sure we survived," Downes told BBC Radio Leicester.

Hinckley have regularly been challenging at the other end of the table in recent seasons but this campaign has - regrettably - forced a different approach.

"We've put a budget to stay in the league and not go for the play-offs," Downes added.

"We've stabilised things, we've brought new people in, we've cleared the debts and the club is in a lot healthier position than it was 12 months ago.

"We needed a season to stabilise, we could not push the boat out and that's where we are."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version