Sam Denly says his Herne Bay squad have pledged to stay at the club despite him being forced to reduce his playing budget.

The Winch’s Field boss highlighted last week the amount of resources available to the top clubs in Ryman League, Division 1 South and he has revealed that Bay have now had to tighten their purse-strings again.

Denly, whose side are 18th, said: “Realistically, we are in the lower spectrum as far as financial input is concerned.

“Perhaps that is the sign of success now, preserving our status in the division.
“It’s not what I want to be doing but perhaps we will be judged on exactly that.”

Denly has had a series of meetings with his squad and the replies were all positive.
He added: “I had frank conversations with the players, both collectively and individually and everyone is committed.”

The only player to leave is skipper Danny Walder who has signed dual-registration forms with home town club, Southern Counties East League title chasers Sheppey United.
He took over the armband from Liam Quinn earlier this season.

Denly said: “He can’t commit due to his job as a trainee teacher.”

All the teams below Bay failed to win at the weekend, apart from Chatham and Three Bridges, who drew 1-1 with each other, while East Grinstead failed to steal a march on them, losing 2-0 at Corinthian Casuals on Tuesday.

Bay face two successive away games – at Chipstead on Saturday, followed by a trip to Sittingbourne on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

The Surrey club are a point above Bay, having played two games more, and Denly said: “We need three points there – nothing less – no question about that.”

Striker Ian Pulman won’t be included following the recent arrival of his second child, while Quinn is also unavailable.