WIVENHOE Town are in negotiations with a high profile ex-Premiership footballer who wants to get involved at the Broad Lane club.Although cards are being kept close to chests right now, it is thought the former player is keen to want to help the cash-strapped Essex side move forward after a mass exodus of players left them in a precarious position.

Mike Bacon

By Mike Bacon

WIVENHOE Town are in negotiations with a high profile ex-Premiership footballer who wants to get involved at the Broad Lane club.

Although cards are being kept close to chests right now, it is thought the former player is keen to want to help the cash-strapped Essex side move forward after a mass exodus of players left them in a precarious position.

And although a deal is far from done, it is a massive boost for the Dragons who have been rebuilding since their loss of almost an entire squad.

That squad exodus began after former manager Richard Carter left the Dragons, and with outstanding wages, Wivenhoe's club debt was in the region of £30,000.

In the past three weeks, 14 players have left the club, most having to bite the bullet that they were not going to get much, or indeed, any money owing them. Wivenhoe now have no players on contract.

Things are moving in the right direction but there is still a long way to go, as club press officer Jon Guy explained.

“We are pleased with the way things have progressed since our public meeting a few weeks ago,” he said.

“A committee has been formed and the club have a new chairman in Stephen Henson, who used to play for the club.

“The committee is a good balance of enthusiasm and business nous. There have been many offers of help from the local community and local people's interest in the club has been very positive. That has been a huge plus.

“Don't get me wrong, the financial position is far from hunky dory, but we have things in place to hopefully solve the problem.”

The Dragons are also working closely with youth teams Wivenhoe and Tempest and manager Wayne Ward has been instrumental in using his local knowledge to pick up players from clubs around the Wivenhoe area as the Dragons begin to rebuild a squad capable of competing.

Currently lying in fifth place in the Ridgeons Premier Division, Wivenhoe were top earlier in the season.

But with 13 goals and three league games lost since the player exodus, the Dragons now face an anxious season wondering if their current 31 points will be enough to ensure Premier Division survival.

Last season Histon Reserves just avoided relegation from the Premier Division, finishing fourth bottom on 40 points.

Mike.bacon@archant.co.uk