We have every confidence that we will overcome these issues and get back on track but we need our supporters more than ever, to help us come through these challenging times.

We fully understand how frustrating it must be for supporters at present and everyone within the club shares those frustrations at present; and none more so than the players and management.

At times we’re not always in a position to divulge every detail behind a situation but we would like to touch on a few key points in the hope that this will give supporters a clearer view and understanding of our current predicament.

Before touching on recent issues we would like to highlight that the club has changed considerably over the past few seasons and is in a totally different financial position than it was in the past. We have had an amazing and history making time at the club in recent seasons with play-off final appearances and eventual promotion to the Conference North; the highest ever level that the club has played at in its history. On top of this we have progressed in forging paths into the community and schools, while also striking up great partnerships with businesses in the local and surrounding areas.
However, during these times the financial outlays and strains on the club have increased and despite a lot of hard work and dedication on and off the pitch that has seen us over achieve, the reality of the situation has struck home. This has been evident with us narrowly suffering relegation last season on goal difference and the club now feeling the effects of a playing budget that has been significantly reduced on a number of occasions in recent seasons. The days of Chairmen putting sums of money into the club each season to help with the shortfalls are no longer possible and in addition to this the current board of directors are made up of hard-working volunteers rather than businessmen that can financially support the club. This has been coupled with a downfall in attendances and an increased reliability on donations and obtaining sponsorship and partnership deals. We have also experienced added and unexpected costs during the summer with the vital replacement of pumps and tank for the pitch watering system that cost the club in excess of £4000. In addition to these we also incurred over £3000 in costs after the Norwich City game being called off.
As a club we have always and will continue to strive to increase our means to grow and improve as a club. However, this isn’t always possible and as a club it’s our responsibility to the supporters and everyone involved that we don’t try to live above our means or do anything that could put the longevity of the club at risk. At that end the club is now in a position where itself and its supporters have to take stock and realise that Lowestoft Town Football Club have enjoyed some great times in recent years but are now embarking on a new and more challenging journey that is affecting the club on and off the pitch.

Issues at the start of the season and over the past few weeks have only compounded the current situation that we face and even though we are confident we can resolve or improve some of these, we would like to share with you the challenges we are currently facing:-

Squad Size & Budget
The budget available for the management team to put a squad together is currently 40% lower than when we were at this level previously and has been significantly reduced even further in the last two seasons. The effects of this were always going to put a strain on the squad, especially with injuries or suspensions coming along at times. We knew as a club that we would be running on a reduced squad this season and that it would be very challenging with the increased amount of games compared to last season. However, prior to the start of the season we were confident that the squad would be boosted by the addition of promising young players from our scholarship programme. The likes of Cruise Nyadzayo, Linton Garrod, Callum Bishop and others had all developed last season and had already featured on occasions for the first team and would have formed part of the first team squad on occasions this season. However, as announced by the club at the start of August we were left high and dry without a scholarship programme and without a youth or reserve team set up as a result of ADE (Road2Pro) unexpectedly severing their partnership with us at very short notice. In addition we had to withdraw from three youth and reserve competitions and this has so far cost the club over £2000 with another £1000 fine expected for late withdrawal, that adds to the lack of funds available for players. All of the above has therefore seen us start the season with an even smaller squad than planned and this has been compounded even further in recent weeks with injuries, suspensions and justified unavailability.
This has put a significant amount of strain and pressure on management and on the players that have taken to the pitch, who despite a poor second half in the FA Cup against Histon, have performed well in all other games and have just found themselves wanting when taking the chances they’ve created.

Danny Crow and Connor Deeks
The current unavailability of Danny Crow and Connor Deeks has added to the strain on the squad and while this is being resolved it has meant that the management team have been dealt a double blow, in that the players are not available for selection and they don’t have the funding to bring in replacements.
The Connor Deeks situation is one of a personal nature and is something the club cannot comment on any further but are working on with the player.
In regards to Danny Crow; he is currently suspended by the club pending the outcome of an FA hearing and any appeal in relation to the suspension put in place by the club following the ADE (Road2Pro) debacle that has caused the club a number of issues and had a knock-on effect for the first team and the finances of the club. This is a current and ongoing situation of which the club cannot comment any further for legal reason but will do when resolved.

No one involved at the club on or off the pitch is to blame for this current situation and from the Chairman down to the board, players, management, etc we are all working tirelessly to get Lowestoft Town Football Club back on track and to where we were two seasons ago.
The board are behind the players and management 100%, who are not at fault and who need all of our backing and support.
The club are trying to add to the squad but this isn’t just a case of numbers, as the right players need to be sourced once budget funding is available.

We all need each other and without your appreciated support our aim to get your club back on track will be made all the more difficult.

Lowestoft Town Football Club