By Jon Couch
SPENCER DAY admits he faces a desperate race against time to get crisis club Farnborough ready for Saturday's season opener – that's if it takes place at all!
The Hampshire club are currently locked in talks with Ryman League chiefs over details of a £30,000 bond which has been imposed to ensure they fulfil their Premier Division fixtures this term amidst their CVA complications.
But while the dispute rages on into a third week, Day has struggled to convince players to commit their futures to the Cherrywood Road club and admits his side will be well undercooked for Saturday's opening day trip to VCD Athletic.
“Whatever the outcome of the discussions it's going to be very last minute and that's very frustrating for me as a manager,” said Day, who is also the club's former owner and largest creditor.
“As it stands I've not got a team. We've had injuries in pre-season, players who don't want to commit, which I can understand, and this week I've had to sell my star striker (Louie Theophanous).
“I have about six or seven I could field and another four or five ready to sign once I get the green light from the Ryman League.
“I need a week and I can piece together a competitive squad, even with the minimalist budget I have. But until I get that green light there's very little I can do.”
Until the matter is resolved, Saturday's opener with VCD Athletic – and the opening home game against Harrow Borough 48 hours later – remains in doubt, but Day insists the club will be doing their level best to avoid any more complications, out of respect for their opponents.
He added: “We are ready to play and we feel we've got an awful lot to offer the Ryman League.
“We will respect whatever decision is made by the Ryman League and there's no suggestion of asking for extra time, quite frankly that would be disrespectful and cheeky, not to mention unlikely.
“(Owner) Rob Prince has had some positive talks with the Ryman League and those talks continue, in the meantime, I'm preparing for Saturday.”
