Corby Town owner James Longley opens up on budget cut decisions at Steel Park

Setchell and his assistant Darren Edey ended their three-year spell at Steel Park on Tuesday, citing a second request from the owners for them and their players to take a second pay cut in a matter of weeks.

Setchell and the bulk of his squad agreed to stay on despite an initial 15 per cent cut, but when they were asked to take another 15 per cent drop, that proved a step too far for Setchell and Edey.

It is feared many of the playing squad will follow suit in leaving the club, with midfielder Gary Stohrer already announcing his departure.

Corby have enjoyed a strong start to the season and currently sit sixth in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division table, but the fear now is that the wheels are going to fall off at Steel Park.

It is a far from ideal situatuion, but Longley issued a statement on the club's media channels explaining the reasoning behind the decision by him and fellow major investor Paul Glass to make the budget cuts, while also thanking Setchell for his service to the club.

Longley has revealed that maintaining the original budget would have cost the owners up to £50,000 to complete the season, and the main problem have arisen from the summer when the club planned its budget around average crowds of 700 this season - it has turned out to be a few more than 500.

"I wanted to give you a clear and honest update," wrote Longley. "After reviewing the club’s finances again, I’ve had to make the extremely difficult decision to reduce the playing budget further.

"To keep the budget where it was, the owners would still have needed to put in an additional £40–50k just to get through the rest of the season, and that simply isn’t sustainable anymore.

"Following open and respectful discussions with Gary, we jointly agreed that it was best to part ways.

"I want to thank Gary personally - we had a great working relationship and worked hard together to try and keep a competitive budget that he could work with.

"Unfortunately, we couldn’t reach a level that allowed us to move forward in the way we all wanted."

On the budget issues, Langley added: "I’ve heard a lot about expected crowds and matchday income, and at the start of the season we all agreed that, although it would be a stretch, we were targeting average attendances of around 700, alongside an increase in spend per head on food and beverage.

"For various reasons, we haven’t been able to make the food offering work as planned.

"While the bar does contribute to the budget, it’s nowhere near the level needed to sustain the current costs, and some supporters understandably choose to drink elsewhere rather than in the Steel Bar."

And he went on: "All we are guilty of this year is trying to support a competitive playing budget, back the team, and give ourselves the best possible chance of getting this club back to Step 3.

"Every decision made has been with that aim in mind, even when it’s meant making difficult and unpopular calls.

"The hard truth is that for this club to progress and be sustainable, we need more support off the pitch.

"More people through the gates on matchdays, greater use of the club’s facilities, more sponsorship, and wider involvement around the club all make a real difference.

"I’m always open to constructive conversations, and the club would welcome any support or help from anyone who wants to be part of taking us forward in a positive and sustainable way.

"We all want to see this club succeed. The only way that happens is if we work together."

Corby Town are due back in action on Wednesday night when they host Coleshill Town at Steel Park (ko 7.45pm). There has been no announcement yet as to who will take charge of the team for that fixture.