FOOTBALL: Mitchell looks to next season

 He wants to resolve all the outstanding problems regarding current  players’ contracts and then look to securing new ones for 70 per cent of next season’s squad together with a manager, before the end of this current term.

“I want to have signed 70 per cent of the players who will be playing for us next season as soon as possible, and I want to have a permanent manager in place as well.

“I do not want to go into the close season not knowing who will be managing the side, and I want a good majority of the squad signed up. That leaves the summer to hopefully pick up a few bargains to complete the team.”

Asked if acting manager Brian O’Donnell would be considered for the manager’s job, Mitchell said: “Brian has come in at a difficult time for no wages which I think is very commendable. I would presume that he has done that with the idea of hopefully getting the job on a permanent basis.

“When we decide he will obviously be considered, and the more he can prove himself, the better position he’s going to be in. He’s certainly done well so far with a win, a draw and loss to his name.”

There still seems to be some confusion regarding the contractual situation with both Roy O’Brien and Danny Clay, two of the players that were released by the club following the first round of cuts when all the player’s wages were cut by 30 per cent.

With the resignation of manger Shaun Brooks, the chairman apologised personally to both players and offered them to return to the club at the reduced wages.

Whilst the players are back training, and O’Brien has played for the team (Clay has been suspended), the problem still does not appear to be resolved.

Mitchell said: “I have spoken to both players and apologised, and offered them to return to the club. I thought the problem had been sorted, but if it is a matter of new paperwork then this is not a problem. I will be speaking with them this week see if we can put it to bed.”