Jags gaffer and director clash over funds for players
East KilbrideThistle boss Gary Hamilton insists there’s no money at the Showpark for players – despite being promised cash when he took the job.
However, his claims have been refuted by Jags director Peter Kelsall, who has been left baffled by the manager’s comments in the aftermath of Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Ardrossan.
Since Hamilton’s arrival, the Jags have won just twice in 14 competitive games, sit second bottom of the league table and last week suffered a humiliating Junior Cup exit to lowly Dufftown.
Kelsall spoke on the record about cash being available for players in the summer and Hamilton told the News: “Although we were promised money by Peter when we came in, there is no money.
“If I could bring in some seasoned Junior players to the team, then that would really help but we can’t do that.
“I learned this weekend teams in our league are paying players £50 a week.
“I can’t even pay my whole squad £50 a week, never mind one player.
“Some teams have spent a good bit of money and are paying decent cash, so it’s going to be a battle for us to compete. But the guys are up for it.
“I’m quite an optimistic guy and I believe we can come good.”
Kelsall, however, has hit back at those claims. He said: “There is money for players, but the problem is a lot of players don’t want to play for us because of the league we are in.
“We made it clear to Gary that there is money for players and that is still the case, so I don’t know where this has come from.
“We can’t pay £50 a week to players, but there are funds available.”
Thistle had hoped to be challenging for promotion when the campaign kicked-off, but reality has hit.
Hamilton added:“The target now is to beat the points tally from last season [41] – and I think we are capable of that.”