CHERRIES skipper Karl Broadhurst insists the players and staff at Dean Court are remaining positive after it was revealed they will be deferring a chunk of their wages this month.

The inspirational defender maintains everyone at the club is "pulling together" after they were told they would only be receiving 60 per cent of their respective salaries, with the balance due to be addressed next week.

The situation emphasises the perilous financial tightrope the club are currently walking and presents the players' feats of the last 10 days, which include the Carling Cup giant-killing of Blackburn and a 5-0 crushing of Doncaster, in a heroic new light.

Broadhurst said: "It's a bit of a struggle for everyone at the moment, but as a club, we have to pull together and if we can get through it, it'll make us stronger.

"The players knew our wages might be late this month but when we were told, we were happy to go along with it really. It's no secret to anyone the club's financial situation. As long as the club keeps telling us what's going on, we'll be fine with the situation.

"We know the people in the background are working really hard to get the money in for us to get paid. The fans get to see the players on the pitch and get to read about us in the papers and sometimes the backroom staff get forgotten about but they have the same deal as we have."

With the Inland Revenue putting the club under pressure and one of the club's creditors having made an application to repossess the Fitness First Stadium, Phillips has been quick to thank the staff for their "support and understanding" and insists the club can get through the predicament.

Phillips said: "We tried very hard to stop this happening but the players and staff have been very understanding and I would like to thank them for their support. This scenario reinforces the point that the club is right on the edge at the moment. So many clubs say they are going to go bust nowadays that people get very cynical about it so this should send a signal regarding the seriousness of the situation.

"The players are the most visible members of staff and it is extraordinary what they have achieved and it makes all the difference, but we can't do without our backroom staff. It's great credit to them for helping out and we can get through this."

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