By John Fuller

Last updated at 12:53, Tuesday, 17 May 2011

Workington Reds boss Darren Edmondson is warning the club will go stale unless experienced players are bought this summer.

Darren Edmondson

Edmondson is calling on the board of directors to fund some high-profile signings in a bid to push for honours next season.

The 39-year-old insists only a collective effort to improve the fortunes of the Borough Park club will result in a higher place finish.

Edmondson has held talks with Humphrey Dobie and Co regarding his budget but no final say will be made for a few weeks to allow the boss to make decisions on his existing squad.

He said: “The players need to see a little bit of movement in the right direction from the board.

“The board have to show an appetite to move on because it’s demoralising for the players to see the club just sitting still.

“The worst thing that can happen is the club goes stale and we don’t show that we want to progress because when that happens no-one will want to come to us.

“This squad, when fully fit, can challenge for honours again, but we need investment from above to bring in a couple more players. I think with a couple of players brought in we could really be a force in this league.”

Edmondson is aiming to attract a midfielder, cover for defence and a striker and believes experience is key.

He said: “We have a young squad that is learning all the time but we need bodies in that already know how it works.

“We missed the likes of Tony Hopper last season and now is the time to replace him with another experienced player.

“I have already identified the men I’d like so now it’s up to me and the board to make sure they happen.”

Dobie said the budget will be around the same as last year. He added: “We thought we had sorted the budget but Darren asked for more time to make decisions over the current squad.

“The budget will be around the same as last year. It won’t be any more because we can’t afford it.

“The problem we had this year was injuries to players on contract. They cost us a lot of money and weren’t able to play. That’s no fault of their own but it didn’t help us.”

First published at 11:26, Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk