ALTRINCHAM chairman Geoff Goodwin will offer no apologies if his club are handed a sensational third consecutive relegation reprieve.
The Robins were condemned to the drop from the Blue Square Premier after drawing 2-2 at Weymouth on Saturday but could still be saved due to the financial mess rivals Halifax currently find themselves in.
Last season, Alty were spared relegation after Boston were sent straight to the Blue Square North after they fell out of the Football League, while in 2006 the demise of both Canvey Island and Scarborough kept them in non-league football's top flight.
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But while some may accuse the Moss Lane club of living a charmed life, Goodwin believes it is just reward for the level-headed way in which the club is run.
He told SAM Sport: "If we do get another reprieve, it will be because we do things right.
"Football is a package, it's about off-field matters as well as on-field matters and you have to make sure you succeed in both.
"If everyone was operating their clubs correctly, where would we have finished? There are teams who are gaining an unfair advantage by overspending on players and then writing off debt.
"It might sound like sour grapes but it's not and if we stay up we'll deserve it and I'll offer no apologies."
Despite securing their own survival on the pitch, Halifax have until May 7 to agree a new company voluntary agreement (CVA) that will satisfy both creditors and the Football Conference board.
The Shaymen were deducted 10 points this season after going into administration and have debts of more than £2million, some of which are carried over from the club's previous CVA, which was agreed in 2003.
And Goodwin has called for action to be taken by the footballing authorities to prevent such situations developing.
He said: "I can't understand how this can happen when you have to send your returns in to the league. Why don't they jump on it straight away?
"I wouldn't be allowed to run my own company (Go Goodwins coaches) in this way.
"It's time for a proper punishment to be brought in for teams who go into administration. Ten points is not enough and automatic relegation would be far more of a deterrant."
But whatever league Alty find themselves in next season, Goodwin said the club is in rude health.
The board will hold a meeting with Graham Heathcote on Monday to decide on the best way forward for the club and the manager's future is very much in his own hands.
"I think Graham Heathcote is a great manager and there a few people who are as knowledgeable as him on non-league football," added Goodwin.
"People think I say these things because I'm his mate but the whole board agree on this. If Graham was to go, it would leave a massive hole at the club, more than anyone could imagine.
"As far as we're concerned he's got a job but it's in his own hands now. he has to decide what he thinks is best.
"Whatever happens though, the club is in good shape.
"Attendances this season were better than they were in the 1985/86 season when we won the FA Trophy and we were losing this years, so does that not show we are going forwards?
"There is so much good being done at the club and we will continue to build on that for as long as we can."
Posted by: Ian Pritchard, Woking on 11:18pm Thu 1 May 08
Well said Mr Goodwin,glad to see a conference chairman talk some sense for a change.I hope Alty stay up, and that more clubs in our league follow their example in how to run a non-league football club.
Well said Mr Goodwin,glad to see a conference chairman talk some sense for a change.I hope Alty stay up, and that more clubs in our league follow their example in how to run a non-league football club.
Good on you Geoff.
As long as clubs continue to spend hundreds of thousands on wages while owing vast sums to creditors, Alty will continue to deserve the reprieves they are given.
It's not a level playing field if teams keep spending massive amounts chasing the dream and then write off their debts when it all goes wrong.
Alty are doing things the right way. It may put them at a disadvantage in the short term but it will pay off in the long term.
Good on you Geoff.
As long as clubs continue to spend hundreds of thousands on wages while owing vast sums to creditors, Alty will continue to deserve the reprieves they are given.
It's not a level playing field if teams keep spending massive amounts chasing the dream and then write off their debts when it all goes wrong.
Alty are doing things the right way. It may put them at a disadvantage in the short term but it will pay off in the long term.
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