Club admit mistakes (From Gazette & Herald)

Club admit mistakes

"We were wrong," Pikes supporters were told at the first forum held by the management committee at Pickering Town on Tuesday night.

Fans expressed their disappointment in the club not applying for promotion to the Unibond League, and the way in which the matter was handled.

But the panel, comprising of club chairman Tony Dunning, Keith Usher, Dave Ellis and Alan Brenkley, along with manager Alex Mathie and Pikes captain Dean MacAuley, said they admitted they were wrong and confirmed that they acted because of financial reasons.

Mr Usher said: "We wouldn't be here if we didn't want to move forward.

"We've apologised and assured the manager and the players they have our support. We were wrong as a committee not to discuss it with Alex.

"Now we've got to get off our backsides and raise money."

There were a number of options discussed as to what the future might hold for Pickering Town. Improvements to the ground and facilities are a possibility, as is moving the Pikes to a purpose-built site. The club is also looking to develop a shop to sell Pickering Town merchandise.

Club chairman Tony Dunning said: "We're looking into it. It's a long process.

"There will be objections, but discussions have started."

Alex Mathie and Dean MacAuley were also asked for their thoughts on not applying for promotion.

Mathie said: "I'm disappointed in the way it was handled. It hurt me because I thought we were quite close.

"I'm now going to meetings so I know what's going on but, to be fair, they keep me informed.

"I've asked for the document on finances so the players know what the club is going to do."

MacAuley said: "That the players found out before the manager was wrong.

"But we have to keep things running."

Updated: 15:47 Wednesday, February 01, 2006