Perhaps we should ask Southend United fans, Braintree or the Bishop of Lincoln himself for some guidance through the darkness that the era of Tilson promises? Steve Prescott and his team are trying. Attempting to put a positive spin on things ahead of a tough season the Imps have cited 600 season ticket sales, a replacement shirt sponsor – Thanks David at Timber Stairs Manufacturers - and good old Moyses in at the Youth team with a few quid to ensure it survives in part.
But the albatrosses are circling..... Uncle Bobs suggestions, including the optimistic quip that it will take 3 years to get back and Tilson’s latest comments undo any positive momentum.
According to Tilson our budget will be in the bottom half of the Blue Square - but wait it gets bluer - and now 6 players are accounting for a huge chunk of his budget. Now we all know that it is purely the commercial activities and season or pay on the day ticket sales that will fund our club. Our board will not put any cash in so all they can do is cut, cut, cut. But what they could start to do is think before they all open their mouths and put their feet in it.
Tilson has a problem in that 6 players account for 50% of his new budget, a fighting fund that will see a third reduction from last year. The latter would actually be a positive piece of news if he had not added the fact that it would be in the bottom half of the Division. That and the fact that Fuseini, on a long-term deal signed by himself this spring, is costing a centre forward’s wage on his own.
The six in question are Joe Anyon, Adam Watts, Josh O'Keefe, Gavin McCallum, Ali Fuseini and Mustapha Carayol who will all do well at this level, but of course we cannot afford them can we? The thing was the Scott Kerr’s of this world, as well as being much more experienced and committed, were on much less money giving us far more bang for the buck. Perhaps we need to sell the ground quick to boost the budget for any bangs or ‘lift off’ to happen under the current manager?
Yes Kerr’s departure and the alienation of the heart of the side were further mistakes from a manager we hardly have faith in. One who bemoans the resources at his disposal and suggests we lower our expectations in the side and him. With 3 relegations on four seasons should we be thinking merely in terms of survival? Gary Simpson kept Macclesfield in L2 with under half our budget last year (circa 75% of this seasons projected based on Maccs putting £500k together) and knows the bargains but does 3 times the charm Tilson? How long until Bob Dorian gives him the dreaded vote of confidence? That in itself is hardly worth electronic ink it is written in is it?
Tilson’s words from the ever improving and more balanced Lincolnshire Echo. Hats off to John Pakey the sport Editor who appears to be adopting a middle of the road stance that is making the publication all the more readable at a time when Newspapers are finding it hard. Buck that trend John.
And the Imps boss has explained the motivation behind placing the six players in question on the transfer list.
He told the Lincolnshire Echo: "The reason those six are on the transfer list is because they are on decent money - it has nothing to do with the fact I don't want them.
"The harsh truth is we can't afford them because they are on too much money for this club now we have been relegated.
"The budget has been cut and if they don't leave then I have to bring in another 12 players with a significant chunk of it already taken up. That's why it's such a huge task to win promotion next season.
On top of Scott Kerrs comments in the York Post and then the Lincolnshire Echo Steve Tilson does indeed appear to be
The Demotivator
Lincoln City Mad
Mad By name - 100 % Imp in nature
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