YATE TOWN are giving manager Paul Britton money to strengthen his squad after a disastrous start to their Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West season.

The Bluebells managed to get themselves back on track on Saturday when the defeated basement side Bridgwater Town by 3-2.

That was the first victory that the club have had under Britton – known as Polly – since he arrived at the newly-named Jelf Stadium at the end of April.

Yate’s plan is to use more young players by utilising the resources within the successful Under-18 set-up, which have director of football Nigel Hawkins as their guidance, so that they will mature into good footballers in the future.

However, one point from an opening day 1-1 draw away at Barnstaple Town in six league matches has not been good enough and, last Thursday, Britton met up with the board of directors to try and find a solution.

A statement from the club said: “The Board would like to make clear that, despite our poor start to the new season, Polly and his management team have their (the board’s) full support and backing.

“From the beginning, we have been clear about the challenges ahead and assembling a new squad after so many departures is not an easy task.

“Our strategy is still focused on developing young players and building a team for the future. Tom Harrison, aged only 16 years old, and Jack Ball, who scored in the Mangotsfield match, are just two of the young players that have become an integral part of the new squad.

“The Board met with Polly last week and have agreed to provide additional funding to help strengthen the squad. Potential players are actively being targeted.

“Despite our position in the league and picking up only one point from our first six league games, it is recognised it is still early days and there are signs that the new squad is beginning to settle and performances will continue to improve.

“However individual mistakes to date have been costly. Our next games are key and we remain confident in our ability to pick up points that will hopefully kick start our season.

“The Board would like to thank our loyal supporters for their continued support and patience and ask them to get behind Polly and the team as results will come.”

Britton, who was unavailable for comment last night, is understood to have already been looking for fresh faces to join Yate since the meeting.