Aldershot Town owner Deane Wood is braced for the club to face some significant financial losses in the coming months and years.
Local businessman Wood became the club’s owner just three months ago when previous chairman Shahid Azeem and director John Leppard transferred their shares to him.
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The Shots – who are narrowly above the relegation zone in the National League – have struggled both on and off the pitch since their FA Trophy win last summer, parting ways with manager Tommy Widdrington in October before their ownership change.
Wood revealed that despite advice from investors to put the club into administration, he could not do so because of his loyalty to the area.
Speaking about the personal cost of keeping the club running, he told BBC Radio Surrey: “The playing budget will be less next season by £200,000.
“I think this year the club will lose from £600,000-£800,000 and next season with our cuts we’re still down to a £500,000 loss.
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“I’d say the playing budget next season will be 85% of what it currently is. Over the summer we will need to sit down with John (Coleman) and decide who is staying and who goes.”
Aldershot appointed new boss Coleman days after Widdrington’s departure and currently sit 19th in the National League, having lost 22 times this season.
Wood said that despite the bleak picture with the club’s finances, there were ways in which he could help out by using the stadium more outside matchdays.
“In our budget that we have done for next year we’re going to lose another £500,000 and that can’t sustain,” he added.
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“I’ve got to do more things around the stadium and start using it more. We’re also trying to be more sensible with things like turning off lights. I know it sounds silly but the electric bill here is £4,500 a month.
“I think we’re safe this season but just through luck and we’ve been lucky with where we are because we haven’t hit 50 points this season. Sooner or later our luck has to run out.”
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