Salisbury City's players are chipping in their own money to help the club raise �100,000 in just two weeks.

But chairman Neville Beal insists they are not on the verge of going bust.

With the credit crunch affecting clubs, the Blue Square Premier side are simply doing something about it - and need the money to help compete at this level.

"We're trying to get the club back on a level playing field," he told BBC Radio Wiltshire, "so we can carry on with our plans for the future."

Salisbury lost one of their main financial backers in the summer with the departure of former director Peter Yeldon.

I don't think people are aware of how much it takes to run a football club at this level, it's more than a million pounds per season. Neville Beal

But Beal is hoping the city will back the club through difficult financial times.

"The credit crunch has affected everybody," added Beal. "Not just football clubs, which means sponsorship as well. Crowds are down, but they're down across the board, not just us.

"I don't think people are aware of how much it takes to run a football club at this level. It's more than a million pounds per season."

Supporters have been given collecting boxes with the aim of trying to raise �100 each, while businesses are already involved at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium tasked with bringing in �1,000.

Sandell is just one of the Salisbury players putting his own cash into the club

The players are also doing their part according to striker Andy Sandell.

"Anything to help the club," he said. "If we can donate appearance money or goal bonuses we'll do that.

"Over the next two weeks you'll probably see a lot more of us around the city promoting things and trying to raise money.

"I think we need it and, if the club clears all of their debts and we're on a level playing field, not many clubs in this league or the league above can say that."