Hawks could see more ‘cost cutting’ in bid to ensure they finish the National League season debt free

That’s the view of boss Paul Doswell after the club voted at the weekend to carry on with the pandemic-scarred 2020/21 campaign.

Many clubs across the two sixth tier divisions have been vocal in wanting the season to be declared null and void, but Hawks are happy to continue.

But if the season is completed, they will have to make do with loans to cover the first three months of this year at least.

Hawks paid the January wage bill without any money having been received - games are still being played behind closed doors and the Westleigh pub remains shut – apart from Moussa Diarra’s transfer fee.

Though they could apply for a Sport England loan - via the Government’s Sport Winter Survival Package - Doswell knows the next few months are financially uncertain.

‘We want to get to the end of the season debt-free,’ said Doswell.

‘We want to finish in the top seven (for the play-offs) and ideally we’d win the title.

‘Any of those three things would be acceptable to us at the moment.’

Defender Diarra was recently sold to Woking, the club unable to turn down a five-figure fee for someone in their 30s and who was no doubt one of the best paid players in the squad.

In addition, youngsters Lucas Sinclair and Sam Dowridge were released from their contracts.

‘To stay debt-free if we carry on, there could be further cost cutting going on,’ said the manager.

At present, Doswell has 23 players signed on - the 18 who comprised Saturday’s squad plus injured pair Ross Worner and Benny Read and three players who were cup tied at the weekend, loanee Leon Chambers-Parillon, Moussa Bakayoko and dual registered Poole Town striker Tony Lee.

Moving forward, it could be that number is reduced.

Doswell knows relationships with pro clubs like Pompey and Oxford United with regards to potential loan signings could be crucial.

Last season’s squad was undoubtedly more experienced, but as a result almost certainly more expensive.

The likes of Nicky Bailey, Dean Beckwith, Wes Fogden and Andry Drury have gone, while there is a younger feel to this season’s squad.

Replacing Diarra, 31, with a teenager, Nico Jones, is the result of dealing with life at a football club in the middle of a pandemic with virtually no monies coming into the coffers.

Priorities have had to change.

By mentioning cost cutting, Doswell was not being negative. He was being realistic.

Last season, the top priority was promotion; this season, it’s about making sure the club are around to compete in 2021/22.

Unlike some National League clubs, though, Hawks have at least enjoyed two good cup runs.

They banked around £94,000 from their FA Cup jaunt, while a £1,750 cheque as fifth round losers took their Trophy winnings to £14,750.

To those figures can be added the £90,000 they received from the National Lottery to cover October, November and December when games were played in front of empty terraces and near-deserted stands.

Now the terraces remain empty, but the grants have stopped.

And if that doesn’t seem fair, it’s because it’s not