Rangers to cut Matt Elliott's budget

Stafford Rangers manager Matt Elliott faces an anxious 48 hours after being told the club's playing budget is to be slashed.

The news came immediately after his side's 4-0 defeat at home to Boston United in the Blue Square North last night.

Just 260 supporters watched the game as the fans voted with their feet, after Saturday's miserable 5-0 mauling at the hands of relegation rivals Hyde.

Chairman Mike Hughes spelt out the cost-cutting to the team and Elliott must now wait to see which players decide to stay at the club.

He said: "One of the players came up to me and said he would play for nothing. But that's not the case with all of them. There are others who would look elsewhere for the sake of £5.

"These are tough times and our club isn't the only one suffering. But having such a poor gate does not help things.

"The supporters made their feelings heard after Saturday's match and they have chosen to stay away."

Elliott admitted that he would now have to wait and see what sort of side he would be able to field when Rangers welcome Blyth Spartans to Marston Road on Saturday.

He said: "There are a lot of solemn faces among the players.

"I don't expect to speak them all immediately but I'm sure the players will have plenty to say about the situation over the next couple of days."

To make matters worse, three Rangers players picked up injuries that could put them in doubt for Saturday's game.

Captain Craig McAughtrie jarred his hip and hobbled off before half-time last night, midfielder Levi Reid was another first-half casualty after taking a kick on the ankle while winger Danny Edwards picked up a foot injury.