Paddy Davitt Former King's Lynn boss Carl Heggs is in dispute with the club over money he claims he is owed from his time at The Walks.Heggs says he is still due a final pay-off from the club's hierarchy following the ex-Unibond Premier Division outfit's High Court winding up order earlier this month.

Paddy Davitt

Former King's Lynn boss Carl Heggs is in dispute with the club over money he claims he is owed from his time at The Walks.

Heggs says he is still due a final pay-off from the club's hierarchy following the ex-Unibond Premier Division outfit's High Court winding up order earlier this month.

"I said I wouldn't leave with a bitter taste in my mouth but I feel I've been treated with contempt," said Heggs. "(Former director) Michael Chinn told me he would backdate my wages for the period when we were in liquidation.

"I didn't ask for that, he said he would do it as I've got a wife and two young children and Christmas to deal with.

"I was told the money would be in the bank - it isn't - and he has blanked all my calls and won't answer any of my texts. I find that hurtful. It's not about the money but how one person could treat another. The way I feel now, if I was paid then I'd rather the money went towards the supporter's trust.

"Even if my children have to go with smaller presents this Christmas - it's the principle that has upset me. I'm the only one not to have found a job and most of the other clubs who have taken my players have chosen to backdate wages as a gesture of goodwill."

Chinn was unavailable for comment last night.

Heggs is facing his first festive break in a 23-year football career.

"It's nice to spend some time with the children who are off now but this is the first time I haven't been involved in football during December," he said. "There aren't any jobs out there that would interest me. This is a very bad month because very few clubs would sack a manager before Christmas. I don't think many chairmen would turf a manager out a week or two before the holidays.

"I've just got to be patient and wait until the middle of January maybe. Then clubs tend to re-assess after the festive period and chairmen might think, 'we're not quite where I expected us to be,' so you could get an opportunity."

Heggs reiterated he would still be prepared to work alongside former finance director David Handley to help re-build the Linnets.

"I do like what Dave is trying to do and I will pin my colours to his flag," said Heggs. "No doubt about that, but in this environment you have to keep your options open. I don't know what is going to happen with the new club but I've made it quite clear from the beginning that I enjoyed my time at King's Lynn and I would want to be part of something if Dave got it.

"None of the other groups have spoken to me so as far as I'm concerned if Dave wants to throw his own money at the club to be a success then let him do it.

"As long as the football club is built on solid foundations then I think it would be fantastic idea. If I was asked I'd also strongly suggest making sure the Trust was represented on the new board - then they'd no longer be any secrets and we'd have a direct link to the supporters."

Heggs also launched a defence of the Leicester-based businessman's bid for control.

"What you want is someone to run the club with the same passion, love and care as the supporters and Dave fits into that bill," he said.

"You also want a manager who shows the same and I fit into that bill. I got beaten with the same stick at the start and I can understand where people were coming from. I wasn't local and neither were most of my players - but when you find a winning recipe stick to it.

"Look at Alex Ferguson, the greatest manager of all time, he isn't from Manchester. Arsene Wenger is not from north London. Just find the right people who love the club like those fans. I don't care what anyone says, they are the most important people at a club. The only way you can keep them happy is by building a successful football team on whatever resources you have."

Heggs feels it is a travesty he is not preparing his squad for an epic Boxing Day league derby at cross-border rivals Boston United.

"I've spoken to loads of people in the game and they all agree," he said. "Without naming clubs there are plenty who are financially in a lot, lot worse situation than King's Lynn were. You're talking about hundreds of thousands of pounds in debt.

"We were wound up for �67,000 plus interest and charges. It's an awful lot of money but in football terms it isn't. You can't blame me or the previous managers because if you ask for a �1,000 a week player then it's up to the board to say yes or no.

"Managers will spend the money because they want to be a success but the manager doesn't have that authority. Now the dust has settled it's an absolute joke that such an amount could bring a club down."