Harding: clubs will have to tighten belts

8:00am Friday 2nd January 2009

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Braintree Town chairman Lee Harding has warned that non-league clubs will have to tighten their belts in 2009.

Fans have generally been spending less on matchdays, as the credit crunch bites.

Harding has noticed that some Iron fans have been saving their pennies more at Cressing Road this season.

And ahead of the club’s home game with Maidenhead United tomorrow (kick-off 3pm), the Braintree supremo revealed the club’s board will be monitoring their finances closely over the coming months.

He said: “Clubs at our level are finding it increasingly tough because of the recession.

“We’re noticing that the people who had previously come in and had a couple of pints before the game and bought a programme are now wandering in at ten to three and just watching the game.

“We’re looking at our expenditure and income very closely and already looking towards the end of the season and next season.

“If the income is not there then we will have to replace it with other income but this season, is a case of keeping things ticking over.”