Chairman calls for Yeltz help

Pitt reckons the team and infrastructure are now in place for the club to mount a serious challenge for promotion from the Southern League.

But he believes extra investment is needed from nearby firms to help establish the Yeltz in the Blue Square North - the second tier of the renamed Conference.

And he is even willing to step down after eight years as chairman if he finds someone willing to drive the Yeltz forward.

"Basically we are looking for more investment," said Pitt.

"Everything is in place at the moment for that club to take that next step forward.

"We think we've got the right management personnel in place in Martin O'Connor and Graham Hyde, and we feel that we've got a group of players signed up who can mount a real challenge for a place in the play-offs.

"But we need some extra investment to help the club make that next step up and that is why we're asking people from the local area to get involved.

"We had a fans' forum in the Yeltz bar in the week and we had about 50 supporters there with questions for Martin and Graham.

"So the supporters are enthusiastic and we feel we can challenge this season."

But Pitt has sounded a cautionary note to any fans getting carried away by thoughts of a rise up the non-league football pyramid.

The chairman of eight years is confident that the Blue Square North is attainable for the Yeltz, but he doubts that any further promotions would be realistic without a hugely rich investor being willing to bankroll the club.

He is, however, open to the idea of a benefactor taking over.

"I am not on an ego-trip and if someone came forward with serious money who was able to take the club further than me than I would give up the chair," he said.

"All I want is what is best for the club and if that means giving up the chair that's fine by me.

"But at the moment I wouldn't want the club to stretch itself too far. I think we could make Conference North but I think the main Conference would be difficult.

"We've seen clubs like Tamworth go up there and struggle because I believe you really need to be full-time in order to compete.

"I think we could get into the Conference North but if we got there we would want to stay there, and that would take more investment.

"We're not necessarily looking for loads of money.

If people have just got some contacts who could offer some commercial opportunities it would be a real help.

"We could do with a few new board members and we'd like to hear from anyone who is willing to get involved."

Anyone who is interested should contact Nigel Pitt on 01902 425300.