Clyde reduce debt despite drop

Last updated : 22 April 2010 By BBC Sport

Clyde are "back on track to be completely debt free by March 2015", according to a club statement.

The statement went on: "The club has already begun talking to players for the next campaign. We expect to be more organised than was possible last year."

Clyde released the statement after Tuesday's 2-1 defeat by Stirling Albion sealed their relegation fate.

It has looked clear for some time that the club would not be returning to Division One, from which they were relegated last season.

The club is very grateful for the support shown over the last year which allowed the necessary time to restructure the cost base of the club

Clyde statement

And the Clyde board have been planning for life in either the Second Division or the Third as they look to become more fiscally independent from their creditors.

Previous liaison with supporters had told of "significant inroads" into the clubs unsustainable debt, which left the club close to going into administration last summer, when almost their whole squad of players were released.

Director of football Neil Watt has recently been installed as interim manager and the club expect a further announcement on the coaching staff to be made before the season's end.

Clyde say that harsh financial policies, while cutting playing and non-playing staff budgets, have made it possible for the club to survive the much feared drop to the Third Division.

And they have already prepared for life in the Third Division and an eventual return to the higher divisions.

North Lanarkshire Council, which is owed significant amounts of cash for rent and services, has allowed for some leniency as the club restructures once again.

"The club is very grateful for the support shown over the last year which allowed the necessary time to restructure the cost base of the club," said Clyde's statement.

The club now expect to be debt free by March 2015, which was the original date set by the Creditors Voluntary Arrangement in 2005.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport