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| Jon Hale |
In a video interview Hereford chairman Jon Hale said he is hopeful that manager Josh Gowling can retain the spine of the squad. He also spoke about the budget Gowling has to work with.
"We've got a few under contract ready for next season," said Hale.
"I think we have offered six others from the existing squad.
"I'm very hopeful most if not all of those will sign up because what we want to do is have a core of players here signed up ahead of Josh then hopefully concluding one or two more deals fairly soon for new players to come in.
"We're very aware that we don't want a complete rebuild, it's important that we build on each season. I think if we can get those players signed up it will give supporters a real boost, give us a real boost, that we are moving in the right direction.
"And also playing looking to come in, seeing those players, good quality players that know this club and know what we do and how we do it. I think then we will really start to build and see some great signs ahead of next season.
"I think it's important to note that the budget that we've offered is the same as it was this time last year at exactly the same stage.
"We did try and help Josh along the way last season obviously with injuries and one or two other things so we did push the budget a little further. But in terms of what was agreed last year to this year it's exactly the same deal, exactly the same budget, and I'm sure Josh is confident that he can go out now and get the players he wants.
"Obviously there are some influencing factors in there that might help us and one of those is 'Squad Builder' and we're really hoping, as fans have already and thanks to those who have donated, really hopeful now that we can push, the season has finished, people can now kind of bring next season into focus.
"Obviously what we are aiming to do, if we can it would be fantastic, is to get up to £50K in donations because we've already committed £25K of that money to the budget, so Josh has already got that to play with, if we could put another £25K on the top or more fantastic. That would mean we could push on and help Josh build an even better squad for next season"
Hale then spoke about season tickets and the need to try and get as many sold as possible to help Gowling's budget.o
"This time last year when the budgeting was taking place for this season post Covid, extremely difficult to put a figure on where attendances might have been and just how people might come back from that terrible period in time.
"I won't lie, we have been a little short on attendances against the budget which has been disappointing. But now we can use this season's experience as a base for next season. So if we can push those season tickets further than we did last season and attendances go up, all those things help, gives confidence if you like, to commit more to that playing budget.
"Josh knows we will do that when we can but we have to be sustainable within the model that we have.
"At the moment the budget is what it is. We're not pretending it's the best or the worst but it's what we as a football club can afford right at this moment."
More at: https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/interview-jon-hale-speaks-at-the-end-of-the-season/