Paddy Davitt King's Lynn chairman Ken Bobbins revealed yesterday the cash-strapped Blue Square North outfit is in talks with six potential new investors. The Linnets' chief issued an upbeat bulletin following the recent exit of major backer Michael Chinn - rubbishing speculation the club's playing squad are owed unpaid wages.

Paddy Davitt

King's Lynn chairman Ken Bobbins revealed yesterday the cash-strapped Blue Square North outfit is in talks with six potential new investors.

The Linnets' chief issued an upbeat bulletin following the recent exit of major backer Michael Chinn - rubbishing speculation the club's playing squad are owed unpaid wages.

Bobbins' is now urging Norfolk's wider footballing community to rally round ahead of this weekend's home league game against title-chasing Southport.

“If we can put 100 or 200 extra on the gate that will make quite a bit of difference,” said Bobbins. “We need to get a positive message out that this is the time get behind the football club. The more people through the turnstile means the more money that goes into the kitty.

“Norwich City is away this weekend and aside from anything else the players could do with extra backing to face a very good side. It would be nice to get the focus back to matters on the pitch after the last few days. We played very well last time out against Gateshead and we need to carry on in that vein. We're doing all we can to make sure the game goes ahead after the recent bad weather with bringing in pumps to drain the pitch and covering it for the frost.”

Bobbins confirmed a scheduled board meeting for tomorrow has been shelved after positive discussions with potential new investors.

“In view of the interest shown we have moved those plans for a board meeting to next week,” he said. “Talks have gone very well. We have seen three possible investors so far and we are scheduled to see another three over this coming weekend. As I have said previously there is no question of pressing any panic buttons. We're hopeful some of these parties will come to fruition and we can push this club forward in the direction we want.”

Bobbins dismissed rumours Lynn's playing squad were owed unpaid wages.

“The lads were paid on Tuesday night at training,” he said. “There is so much rubbish being bandied about at the minute - mainly from people who have no idea of the costings of this football club. I'm sure everyone would understand we can't go public and start quoting figures because it's not right or proper to do that. If we were to counter some of the rumours it would be never-ending.

“I couldn't make training in person as I was seeing two possible investors, one in Lynn and one in Norwich, and I wouldn't have made it back in time but my vice chairman Tim Coates had a good chat with the lads. They are up for it and they understand the situation.”

Bobbins reiterated his club is no different to the majority feeling the full force of a widespread downturn hitting non league football.

“We are not an isolated case, it is almost becoming an epidemic throughout our level of the game,” he said. “I'm led to believe Maidenhead is the latest club who might have to cut some players and put players up for transfer. If you look at it they are only a point or two out of the play-off places in their league. This is a tough time for everyone and tough on a personal level for the board at the minute. While we're not necessarily getting a lot of flak we just need to be left to get on and try to do what needs to be done as best we can.”

Read Mark Hearle's latest exclusive behind-the-scenes column today only on edp24.co.uk/kingslynn

King's Lynn Reserves must travel to Gorleston on Saturday in a bid to get their Norfolk Senior Cup semi final played at the third attempt. (3pm)

Lynn officials called off last night's cup tie at The Walks due to a waterlogged pitch after a morning inspection. The young Linnets will now head to Emerald Park with the club's first team scheduled to play Southport at home this weekend.

A Norfolk Senior Cup semi final replay would take place at King's Lynn on February 18 with the winners meeting either Dereham or Wroxham at Carrow Road in the final.

Former Lynn player/manager and Welsh international Reg Davies has died in Australia.

The 79-year-old scored 29 goals in 217 appearances for the Linnets before going on to manage The Walks outfit in a five year spell from December 1965.

Davies began his career at Southampton but moved from Southend United to Newcastle for �9,000 in April 1951 where he hit 50 goals in 170 games but missed out on a place in the Magpies' 1955 FA Cup final side through illness.

Davies also played for Swansea, Carlisle and Merthyr before emigrating Down Under after leaving Lynn.