Rangers jobs under threat

Stafford Rangers have announced swingeing cost-cutting measures in the face of a cash flow crisis that is adding to their relegation worries.

One of the first victims of the axe is player-coach Dave Oldfield, who has been manager Phil Robinson's right hand man for the last 18 months.

Australian-born Oldfield, aged 39, a former Manchester City star, has been a regular in Rangers midfield recently, as well as taking coaching duties.

But secretary and financial director Mike Hughes said: "We've had to make savings and it was a painful thing to let Dave go. Unfortunately, we have a manager and we cannot afford him and an assistant, it is a luxury we cannot afford. No-one relishes taking these steps."

Hughes blamed a slump in gates, an early FA Cup exit and a fixture card that gives them only one home league game in the space of seven weeks, for their immediate money problems.

Hughes, though, said manager Phil Robinson's job was not under threat, adding: "Phil carries on with the full backing of the board. We have to work together to get us out of this mess."

Robinson, who still has 18 months of a three-year contract at Marston Road to run, declined to comment on the cost-cutting, but said he would be leading out the team at Ebbsfleet tomorrow and hoping to get a good result for the club.

At the weekend Boro managed a 1-1 draw against fellow strugglers Droylsden, keeping them third from the bottom of the Blue Square Premier table, eight points adrift of the safety zone. Robinson said: "We were encouraged by the performance at Droylsden. We know we got off to a bad start, but we've worked hard to steady the ship.

"In our last nine league games, we have won one, drawn five and lost three. It's not promotion form, but it's not relegation form either, especially this season."

Rangers will have the benefit of skipper Wayne Daniel and midfielder Ross Draper back in the squad after suspension. Striker Nathan Smith is also expected to be fit again, but Sami Mawene could miss the trip after going off injured at Droylsden.