Chatteris town fc v Great Shelford

LUCKLESS Chatteris Town boss Steve Taylor has admitted that his relegation-threatened Lilies are in turmoil on and off the pitch.

Steve Taylor, Chatteris Town manager

Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Great Shelford extended Chatteris’ winless run to 13 games. Their last victory came in September and they have plummeted to 16th in the 17-team Kershaw Premier League.

But Taylor insists there are even deeper problems off the pitch and the players, fans and volunteers must get behind the club in order to safeguard its future.

“The club is on its knees,” said Taylor.

“I wash the kits, I sort the dressing rooms, I mark the pitch out - nobody else is around to do it. We desperately need more people behind the club; otherwise it won’t be here anymore.

Chatteris town fc v Great Shelford

“We’re in a relegation battle now and it’s time to admit that. We’re in turmoil. I’ve never been in a situation like this before and at the moment I can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.

“I contemplated walking away before Christmas but I said I would stick it out until the end of the season. I’m going to try my best to get us out of this.”

Chatteris have lost a host of players this season, with key defenders Tony Brown, Aaron Collins and Jon Brierley among those departing West Street.

“I’ve got a constant fight to keep hold of my players,” said Taylor, who has watched his side ship 25 goals in their last six games.

Chatteris town fc v Great Shelford

“Teams are coming in and offering them money and we can’t compete with that. We’ve just got to roll our sleeves up and search for that win to stop the rot. “We aren’t cut adrift and if we can find a few wins we’ll be out of trouble. We have got enough quality in this team.

“It’s a big test but I’m not going to walk away from Chatteris.”

The Lilies travel to high-flying Linton Granta tomorrow.