Bashley'S players have indicated to manager Geoff Butler that they want to stick together next season.

Butler had been unable to discuss the future with his team while he awaited confirmation that the club would come through with the budget they discussed two weeks ago.

He has now been given the nod to work with the same budget as this season and said: "I'm going to sit down with the calculator in the next day or so and see what I can work out and then discuss it with the players.

"I'd like to get an incentive scheme going which would mean them compromising on basic wages and playing for bonuses like we did when I was manager of Salisbury and Weymouth.

"What I don't want though is to get them all on contracts and then have someone say at Christmas: 'Sorry Geoff, we've got to get rid of five of them.'

"That's okay for the five that go, but not for those left behind.

"I've asked the lads how they'd feel about being non-contract but, as they pointed out, what happens if someone breaks a leg?

"I've told the players I'm happy to listen to any proposals they come up with, but it's really encouraging that they want to stay. It was them who approached me after the game on Saturday. They love the club and have a great respect and fondness for each other and they think they can do well next year if they all stay together."

Despite losing Matt Parnell to an ankle injury and Dave Wakefield to knee problems, Bashley's youngsters fought out a deserved 0-0 home draw with Croydon Athletic on Saturday.

Tomorrow Bash travel to lowly Ashford chasing a win that would aid Newport IoW's survival fight.