Adam Lazzari Wisbech Town boss Roy McManus is considering his future at the Ridgeons Premier outfit after the club decided to scrap their reserve team as part of cost-cutting measures.

Adam Lazzari

Wisbech Town boss Roy McManus is considering his future at the Ridgeons Premier outfit after the club decided to scrap their reserve team as part of cost-cutting measures.

McManus will meet his coaching staff in the next few days to decide whether to stay on at the club after the board officially announced the decision following weeks of speculation.

The board held crisis talks earlier this week after McManus, assistant player/manager Steve Appleby, first team coach and youth team manager Jackie Gallagher and youth team coach Chas Thompson were all considering quitting the Fenmen.

McManus said: “We've all been a bit disillusioned with things. Wisbech Town have had a reserve side since the club began. It's enabled us to give local lads a chance to progress from the youth set up through the first team - nearly all of the current first team have progressed that way.

“Wisbech have always had a good reputation for giving local lads a chance to play a good level of football and it's something I've been proud to be a part of. Now when players leave the youth team and aren't good enough to go straight into the first team they will leave. It's a tragic situation but these are desperate times for the club.

“I was frustrated that the board hadn't discussed this matter with me and just announced the decision to scrap the reserves. But we had thorough talks on Tuesday night and I can understand where they are coming from. They are just doing has to be done to ensure that the club survives.”

McManus was told that he would have the same budget as last season to bring in players and pay wages.

He said: “I was hoping I could make Wisbech a top six club next season, but that would be very difficult now. I'd have to work with a squad of 16 players with the youth team as back up. We achieved a great deal on the pitch last season and I want to manage a team that is moving forwards, not backwards. I'll speak to the coaches in the next few days to decide if we can make it work or not.”