Pic: Ian Morsman
ALDERSHOT TOWN have announced they will move to 52-week contracts in a bid to help boss Gary Waddock keep his best players at the club.
The Shots, like a lot of National League sides, currently only offer players 44-week contracts which cover them from July until the end of April.
However, with the Shots in the hunt for the National League play-offs, and with a number of their players catching the eye, the club have made the move to try and entice their current crop to stay at the Recreation Ground.
Boss Waddock has built a competitive squad in Hampshire and their recent run of four wins in a row has moved them up to fifth in the table.
Regardless of how this season ends, the Shots hope that by offering year-round contracts, the club will be a more attractive proposition.
Chairman Shahid Azeem told the club's website: “We're all very excited at the prospect of where we could end up. Clearly we're punching above our weight, but Gary has built a fantastic team, and we need to retain their services to keep the nucleus of the squad for next season.
“Players still have bills and mortgages to pay during the summer and it's important that they have something which is sustainable, so the board have given Gary the funds to sign these players earlier. These are funds that we have not budgeted for but it is something that the whole board is 100 per cent committed to achieving.
“Our new directors have brought both new investment and new skillsets into the club, and we are constantly looking for further investment that is right for the club.
“The fans have been fantastic this year, and throughout my time here, and we need them to keep coming through the turnstiles and renewing their season tickets, as well as supporting our Cash For Shots and Boost the Budget initiatives.
“Every little helps, but the most important thing is their vocal support. This season has been an amazing experience so far, and the fans have played a huge part in that.”
