NEXT HOME GAME - TBC
NEXT AWAY GAME - SUPPORTERS XI ARE PLAYING WORCESTER AT MALVERN ON SUNDAY AUGUST 3rd AT 3.00pm

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Brown comments on Transfer Window

Aldershot manager, Terry Brown, has told the Aldershot News and Mail that he thinks the transfer window to be introduced by the Conference for this season is an "absolute nonsense". The basis of the transfer window will be to stop managers signing players other than in January. However the full details have not yet been released.

"If clubs have to get everybody on board by the end of August then it's going to suit the bigger clubs. I can't complain too much, as we are one of the bigger clubs but for smaller clubs, how can it benefit them as it means they will have to employ more players.

"I think it's absolute nonsense, I know why they're doing it, they want the Conference to be in line with the League so that when clubs earn promotion there's little difference between the sides.

"They want to be able to say that there's no difference between us and the Football League, but no-one has shown me what good this will do."

Brown was said to be starting the season with a squad of between 16 and 18, but may increase that to between 20 and 22 because of the new rules.

"I understand the thinking of it from the Conference in that any excuse the Football League has to say we're not the same as them, they will use. But for the FA and everybody else who does this benefit? I have yet to see anybody come forward and say 'this will benefit us'.

"I will now have to look at bringing in more players because I can't afford to have players injured during the season, to cover your backside you've really got to have 22 players which is more than I had planned. If they leave the loans rules alone that would help greatly but the rules on this isn't clear yet either," fumed Brown.

Graham Turner, the Hereford United manager, said last week that he might need to increase the size of his squad if the transfer window is brought in.