Cuts coming to ’Stute

Kee, who also states that he will be speaking to a number of players in the next few weeks and he has talked to a few senior players about the situation.

’Stute like everyone else up and down the country are struggling financially and Kee accepts the people behind the scenes are doing everything they possibly can, however he believes the Irish League is ‘run dry’ in terms of players getting big wages now.

“I have already spoken to two or three of the senior players about the current financial situation and we have a deadline of December 31st, where everything is going to be reviewed but there is going to have to be cuts in the budget and all the players are going to be made aware of it over the next seven to ten days,” explained the Waterside man.

“We are like every Irish League club, but in fairness we have to cut our cloth accordingly, we are getting it tight there is no question about it.

“Everything is going up, fuel, insurance and it’s because there is a recession on and I know everyone is fed up hearing about it and people press panic buttons but that’s the nature and people are going to have to realise that there is no money and until we get promoted or until we get a Roman Abramovich person coming from somewhere, that’s the way it’s going to be.

“There are still players out there that the penny hasn’t dropped with them and they aren’t necessary looking for stupid money, they are just looking for money. Whenever I came back from England you were getting £20 or £30 and that is the way it’s going to be back to £20 or £30, because there is no money there, the Irish League is run dry.

“The benefits of playing at Institute is that there is a good catchment area of players, it’s local for them, it’s a decent standard of football, they have got opportunities to achieve something, but I’m sure that there are teams in the Ulster Senior League or even junior level who are able to pay more and people now have to choose who they want to play football for, if they need the money then that’s fine, but most of our boys work, so that helps us.”

The Drumahoe club are ten points behind leaders Ballinamallard United and despite the cuts they still are looking to strengthen their squad, with Finn Harps duo Marc Brolly and Packie Mailey both targets.

Mailey, who has also attracted attention from Derry City, was at Institute as a youngster before his move to Scottish Premier Division side Hibernian, was captain for the majority of the season at Ballybofey this year and he would add some steel at the heart of the ’Stute defence.

The duo have also been made aware of the financial restraints at the club and if Kee manages to sign them then a few players are likely to leave.

“We are talking to both Marc Brolly and Packie Mailey, young Mailey is also talking to another club, but in fairness to Mailey he wants to play first team football, so he has to establish that fact.

“However we have a strict budget and all the players that we are speaking to are aware of that.

“If I do bring players in then yes there is a possibility that some players will have to leave the club, I will be getting around the players in the next three of four weeks, so I’m not going to mess anyone about.”