SOLIHULL FRIENDLY ANNOUNCED BUT PROBLEMS MOUNT FOR MILLERS!

Carlton were unable to count on their impressive away form on Saturday and a narrow defeat to Belper leaves them in deeper trouble towards the bottom of Evostick Division One East.

Problems continue to mount for Carlton both on and off the pitch and when groundstaff arrived at the Bill Stokeld Stadium this morning, they found that fences had been blown down by the weekend gales.

The clubs insurance company have notified the club that because it is storm damage, they are not covered and will have to find the money themselves to replace the damaged panels.

In the last three weeks , the club have suffered a serious water leak and broken shutters and the Chairman has personally covered the repairs as well as over £400 to vertidrain the pitch to try and mitigate postponements, the club still have to pay water rates of close on ££1,000 for the last quarter.

The Chairman and President Roger Smith have also both provided emergency loans to enable the club to maintain their Academy status by meeting a deadline to refurnish facilities at the ground.

The £1,000 donation from Persimmon Homes secured by Dave Hodgson is a big help towards that, but the club are under constant financial pressure.

Nottingham Forest Ladies have now also moved To Eastwood Fc who have a fantastic new facility and a 3G pitch largely funded by grants.

The Chairman told us

” I am not in the financial position I have been in recent years where I have been able to contribute the thousands of pounds which have helped build all the facilities at the stadium and helped maintain our Evostick status over a significant number of years”

” I have covered substantial costs in recent weeks and will continue to work hard to bring money into this club, but I cannot financially kill myself by throwing money in that i am simply no longer earning”

” The Newstrade I am in is facing extremely challenging times and I am having to close stores and work extremely long hours to ensure my company survives in the long term”

” I don’t often talk about my personal circumstances, but I need supporters to know that I’m doing my very best in very difficult conditions ”

” We wish Forest ladies all the very best for the future, it is an amicable departure from the ground and I appreciate their kind words in their departure statement, I fully accept Eastwood have a superior playing surface and i genuinely have no more money to spend on the pitch at this time, either by way of paying extra ground staff or renovation ”

Carlton Town have also been hit by the news that Junior Chairman Paul Whitby has stood down due to personal reasons.

Garton continued ” I would like to place on record my huge thanks to Paul Whitby for the massive contribution he has made to this club and it has been a pleasure to work with him over many years in various roles at the club”

” The Junior section are currently working through their procedures to elect a new Chairman, I am organising meetings with them in the coming days and look forward to working with whoever assumes this important role, to continue the work done by Paul and hopefully take it to the next level in the coming months ”

” I can also confirm there will be a friendly at the ground this Wednesday 13th February when we will take on a Solihull Moors side. This will enable Wayne to give one or two players coming back from suspension and injury a run out and I understand one or two of the Academy players will be involved during the game as the manager weighs up his options going forward”

Admission to the friendly is free and the kick off will be between 7.30pm and 7.45pm, the snack bar will not be open but Jamie will be serving Teas and Coffees etc in the Clubhouse along with the usual alcohol and soft drink options and snacks.

The Millers signed Young defender E Lie Ikwa on loan from high flying National League side Solihull who Carlton are meeting in this weeks friendly as mentioned above and whom impressed the management on his debut on Saturday at Belper in Carltons 2-1 defeat.

Further details of the historic afternoon at the Dragon where Chairman Mick Garton and Supporters Chief Alan Murphy will be on the decks on the Sunday afternoon of 24th February from 2pm to help raise vital funds for the club are set to be announced in the next 24 hours.