Kendal Town will use some of the proceeds from Monday’s big derby gate against Workington to try and strengthen the squad.
A bumper crowd of 705 – over 500 of whom had bought tickets online – saw the Mintcakes lose 3-1 to their West Cumbrian rivals, a result which kept Kendal next to bottom, seven points adrift.
Chairman Michael O’Neill said: “The club has a substantial debt which the new committee is working hard on to reduce, but it is important that we stay at the level we are playing now.
“Avoiding relegation, improving the ground and reducing the debt are our priorities which the new committee are targeting and Monday’s crowd figure was a good start.
“It was a good pay-day for us against Workington and part of it will be allocated for team building. We have one or two irons in the fire and want to give Dave Woodruff as much support as we can in his efforts to recruit players who are going to improve us.
“We were pleased with the spirit the side showed in defeat, considering the changes that Dave had to make.”
Nick Hepple, a striker signed by former manager Warren Beattie, and who appeared to be forming a lively partnership with Monday’s goal-scorer Scott McDonald, has now left the club.
“Gary Basterfield is a left-back by trade but because of our situation had to play in a forward role and I’m sure if Hepple had been playing he would have scored from the late chance that Gary had to score a second for us,” said O’Neill.
Off the field, however, O’Neill was generally pleased with how the day went and the 705 crowd has surpassed their expectations.
He said: “If we were putting on the game tomorrow we would do one or two things differently but for the most part I thought it went well. There were a couple of crowd issues but nothing major and the positives far outweighed those negatives.
“I am very grateful for the help we received from Dave Bowden, the Workington chairman in our planning for the game. It was much appreciated.”
