IPSWICH Wanderers chairman Ed Nicholls today predicted that the recession will reduce player budgets in the Ridgeons League to realistic levels.The First Division team will be made up mainly of youngsters when they entertain Stowmarket Town in a league fixture at Humber Doucy Lane tomorrow.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Wanderers chairman Ed Nicholls today predicted that the recession will reduce player budgets in the Ridgeons League to realistic levels.

The First Division team will be made up mainly of youngsters when they entertain Stowmarket Town in a league fixture at Humber Doucy Lane tomorrow.

Wanderers' player budget has been more than halved in recent seasons, and Nicholls sees this as the trend.

“We are all fighting for the same penny,” said Nicholls. “Sponsorship and advertising money is going to be reduced and adjustments will have to be made.

“I don't expect clubs to go out of business, but I think it will stop the silly wages that are currently being paid by some clubs.

“We have cut our cloth accordingly since relegation from the Premier Division and are balancing our books.

“Our player budget will be reviewed in the summer, but with money bound to be difficult to come by we will have to continue to keep our heads down and be prudent.”

Nicholls cites Needham Market and Leiston as two clubs who have their house in order money-wise.

“But they are the exceptions,” he added. “A lot of clubs have been caught out.”

Nicholls was sad to see the demise of Whitton United and says that the way the government and the FA look at non-league football should be altered.

He explained: “They appear to view it as a small business and there is too much bureaucracy involved.

“We are working with volunteers and it is not easy to find these people these days. We have some excellent workers, but it looks as though Whitton ran out of people prepared to do these tasks.”

Nicholls had connections with Stowmarket during Trevor Wardlaw's time as manager at Greens Meadow, and says that he looking forward to meeting up with 'some great people' again.

“We are both in a similar position, and tomorrow's game is one that both teams will be going all out to win.

“Willie Donachie has been helping with some training sessions for us and hopefully our youngsters will have learned from their 6-2 defeat at bottom club Fakenham last weekend when we lost concentration after being two goals up after 10 minutes.”

Steve Buckle's side has been well served by experienced keeper Gary Hammond and are looking to hold on to their youngsters and add more experience during the close season.

Hadleigh United entertain Brantham Athletic in a derby that could prove crucial in the promotion race at the end of the season, while Debenham are at home to leaders Newmarket.

Needham Market have been chosen as the official 'Team of the Round' for their victory over AFC Fylde in the FA Vase fourth round.

They will be presented with a plaque at their fifth round match at home to Dereham on February 7. They also receive 20 complimentary tickets for the FA Vase final at Wembley and four cases of Carlsberg beer.

Needham have a tough Premier Division home game against Kirkley while Leiston's game against CRC has been switched because of concerns about the Abbey Stadium being playable after last night's televised Cambridge United match.

Felixstowe and Walton United are at home to Wisbech with managerless Woodbridge Town looking for points at Histon Reserves.