Back to on-the-pitch matters, Steve, can you tell us how disappointed you were with Ian Richardson's recent comments re. Signing players?
ST: I’ll just reiterate what Patrick (Nelson) said, I was disappointed that it was all public because it didn’t need to be like that. But everyone’s entitled to their view and Ian’s entitled to his but as you’ve heard he said he’s reconsidered the situation and that he was out of order. All managers are ambitious, of course they’re ambitious – they make their reputations on this – and at the same time I’m ambitious but I have to look at the finances and I don’t think there was any need for it, I think it was a mistake and I think he realises that. He made reference to this last Sunday when myself, Patrick, the manager and all the players were in to clear all of this and I think it was unnecessary.
But in many ways it’s cleared some air because I think they played very well on Tuesday (against Yeovil) and I wonder if that has something to do with it.
Was the decision not to allow him money a footballing one, or was the money simply not there?
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Some money did become available because we were able to sort out a few contracts and the question is do we automatically go out and spend that money. As it happens, because the gates have been lower than we have expected and because we almost daily look at the finances it’s no point saying well that money is still there when the gates have gone down because you’ve got to be financially proven.
Money has been there. You’ve got to bear in mind we’ve bought players in: We had (Wayne) Henderson who Ian chose not to have so he went back; he brought in (Rob) Elliot; we’ve just taken on Ruben (Zadkovich). So, we’ve had players come in and we’ve only wanted players to come in if they’re going to make a significant difference and, I’ll be honest with you, as Patrick (Nelson) said on the radio, the first time I read about these players by name were when they were written in ‘paper which is disappointing again.
The simple fact of the matter is that the money to pay the wages for these players was not there and we had to have the wages significantly lower or them to come on a free – and they had to add something extra to the squad and bearing in mind that we’ve already added four players. Where do you stop?
It’s also in my mind that it wasn’t so long ago that we were beating Scunthorpe and saying that we don’t need any players. I don’t blame him for his ambition at all, but at the same time I have to make sure that there are funds available for next year and I just don’t want to gamble. Then we go to Yeovil – top of the league – and we kick their backsides so there you have it.
Did Ian ask whether the money was there before he agreed deals with the players? It seems strange that he'd agree deals when he wasn't sure the money was even there.
His job, as manager, is to constantly come up and constantly look for players. It’s like Ruben who’s joined the club, but he is a find both for his skill and for what he’s going to cost the club. He’s a gem.
And Ian’s constantly trying to do that so he’s always looking at players from the moment he took over, every manager is. He knew that there was some money available, yes.
Has there been discussions at either boardroom or Trust level as to whether Richardson will get the managers job for next season? Do either of you have any personal thoughts on this?
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As I say, people will have different views at different times so when it comes to that stage then we’ll have complete confidence in Steve and the rest of the directors that the right decisions will be taken.
ST: That specific question, I think, is for another time as the board now have to assess the season and, as you can imagine, at the minute we’re just focusing on where we are in the league. We’ve always said that we’re going to review this towards the very end of the season to give everyone a good run. At the minute, we’re just focusing on the next game at the minute and stopping in this League.
There’s a board meeting in April so we’ll be looking to come up with a decision around that time.
Can you tell us if Richardson isn't given the manager's job, does it affect his chances of getting a new playing contract?
ST: The situation with Ian is that we’ve always said that we’ll stand by him subject, of course, to his fitness. Obviously, his knee operation is quite serious and he’s been out for nearly all of the season, and he’s at the end of his playing career but we’ll have to see how his knee is.
But, we want to give him a testimonial so we want him to be a player but if he’s not up to it, then that’s out of our hands. But, either way, we’ll do everything we can to make sure he gets a testimonial but he will need to be here next season for that to happen. So, if Richardson does not remain manager, then he reverts back to being a player.
Have there been any discussions regarding the players' out of contract this summer?
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And whose decision is it as to whether renew them or not?
ST: It’s not my decision in as much as I won’t be picking the squad, the board and I will decide how much money is available for next season and then the manager will decide whether or not he wants to keep these players which is why we’ll be having a board meeting around April time to make sure that we know who’s going to be making that decision.
At the minute though, to be honest with you, we’ve not even looked at contracts.
For the conclusion of the interview - where, amogst other things, Howard Wilkinson is discussed - be sure to check back to Notts County MAD later this week.