Clean slates under Chasetown boss

Chasetown manager Craig Harris today vowed to give "everybody a chance" to stay at the club - but warned contracts are unlikely to be on the table.

The former Scholars captain is settling into the hotseat after his appointment last week, after leaving the Midland Alliance and Tipton.

The 37-year-old, who was last at Chasetown between 2004 and 2007, has already spoken to all of last season's squad but still expects departures.

However, Harris insists he will give every player who wants to stay a fair crack of the whip and has invited them all back for pre-season training.

But the new boss has warned the eight who were under contract last term they are unlikely to be offered the same terms.

Money at the Scholars Ground will be tight after relegation from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League and Harris is ready for it.

He said: "It will be their choice, I have invited everybody back for pre-season and I want to give everybody a chance.

"Some of the players may play better under me, there's always one or two who do under a new manager!

"Every club gets budget cuts and we have been relegated, so we haven't got the big clubs coming to town now.

"Unless we get a young lad with a bit of potential who we need to look after, I can't really see contracts.

"We have got to trim everything and it's a reality check for the club."

Harris insists he only wants "hungry" players on board for next season and is looking for new players, in either case.

But the Scholars chief believes tweaking, rather than ripping apart the team, could be just the lift the club needs.

He said: "I have touched base with all of the squad and I am trying to get the majority of the squad to stay.

"I have had a positive response, most of the lads want to stay and they are quite level-headed.

"They know the budget has got to be cut a bit and we know we are going to lose a few because of that.

"But, to be honest, it needs to be freshened up anyway with a few new faces, that will give everyone a lift.

"With a few new additions, I think we will be OK."