The Chronicle

No need to worry but club must pay its way

CHIEF CALA LAUDS ‘LIONS’ BUT MORE CHANGE TO COME

- By JEFF BOWRON

UNDER-FIRE finance chief Joseph Cala has insisted savage cost-cutting was necessary to protect the future of Gateshead FC.

The American-based Italian businessma­n had not spoken to the media since he arrived at Gateshead in August to take up the role of chief financial adviser.

And he told The Chronicle that drastic measures had to be taken to bring the club’s costs under control.

Cala runs the show at Gateshead in the absence of Indian owner Dr Ranjan Varghese.

Heed fans are furious at the lack of investment from the new custodians and the way they perceive the club is being run by the foreign duo.

But Cala believes talk of a crisis at Gateshead is over the top and has asked for fans to look at the bigger picture.

The club are down to a squad of just 16 players, which will be backed up by young prospects.

But the squad is unlikely to be strengthen­ed – even if a longstandi­ng transfer embargo is finally lifted.

Cala said: “It is going well. We are in the play-offs and that is the most important thing.

“I don’t know why the fans are worrying. I think it’s the first time this club has its finances in order. “In the past the club was losing £100,000 a month and there were owners who were happy to lose that money until they ran out.

“Our philosophy is that every business must be self-sustainabl­e, and that’s what we are doing.

“If any fans are worried they should try and help the club, either financiall­y or coming to games and paying a full-price ticket.

“The actual fans who pay at games is less than 450 and you cannot sustain a profession­al club on those gates.

“Eighty per cent of the takings are either concession­s or students and the money taken works out at about £9 per person.

“The expenses at the club were around £200,000 a month, and now it’s more like £40,000.”

Cala said Gateshead are operating on the lowest budget in the fifth tier of English football. He also acknowledg­ed that debts, including HMRC and a few others, remain outstandin­g. But with a £200,000 bond lodged with the League and the swingeing cuts made, he does not fear for the future.

He has intimated the budget will increase next season to accommodat­e a higher and more evenlyspre­ad wage structure.

That will inevitably see lower pay packets for the club’s bigger stars but rises for younger players who have proved their worth this season.

Cala is convinced Gateshead can compete at National League level with a small budget and homegrown players.

“Money is not the most important issue in football,” added Cala, who was previously involved in takeover bids at Portsmouth and Morecambe.

“The club will remain full- time next season, it is the only way, and we want to keep all of the play- ers,” he added.

“We have to increase the salary of half of our players because they don’t make enough.

“We have to have a fair system where every player will make pretty much the same amount.

“The budget will be higher, but it will be feasible to do so as our expenses have been cut drasticall­y. Last year this club spent £1.8m to generate 54 points. Today we’ve spent half a million to maybe finish with 76-78 points. “This is a success in itself. We should all be proud of our players as they are lions, and I love them all.” While there are fears of a mass exodus of players at Gateshead for the second year running, Cala remains calm. He praised the work of manager Ben Clark – who has yet to taste defeat since replacing Steve Watson – player/ coach Mike Williamson and the squad. “We have told every player we will be giving them a contract for next season and we want them all to stay,” Cala said. “Everyone of them has been a great asset and we hope everyone stays as a family – that is the key. “We won’t be involved in bringing in loan players next season or putting players up in club houses – we are not property owners. Cala has asked for disgruntle­d fans to remain behind the team, who are sixth in the table and at home to Barnet on Saturday. “It is a miracle we are where we are. We need to stay focused, get behind the manager and the players to finish in the play-offs.”

If any fans are worried they should try and help the club, either financiall­y or coming to games and paying a full-price ticket Joseph Cala

 ??  ?? Gateshead fans have voiced their anger at owner Dr Ranjan Varghese (inset)
Gateshead fans have voiced their anger at owner Dr Ranjan Varghese (inset)
 ??  ?? Gateshead FC chief financial adviser Joseph Cala
Gateshead FC chief financial adviser Joseph Cala
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