BASINGSTOKE Town president Rafi Razzak has spoken of his delight with the club's progress on and off the pitch under Ernie Howe's management and the new board of directors.

With surprise package Town riding high in the top three of the Nationwide South, and healthier finances due to increased sponsorship and the complete payment of the previously burdensome company voluntary agreement (CVA), the club is going into 2005 with real optimism.

Razzak, the multi-millionaire owner of Town's long-term main sponsor, IT giant Centerprise International, is proud of the recent improvements at the Camrose - and he hopes the new year will turn out to be as positive as the latter part of 2004 for Basingstoke Town as they hunt a possible promotion to the Conference.

Razzak said: "What Ernie and his team have done, in addition to everything that's happened in the background, has been absolutely superb.

"When you consider that, at various times earlier in the year, we didn't know if we would make the new set-up - and then didn't before Hendon's withdrawal opened up a place - to be in the position we are now is marvellous.

"Here we are at the top of the league playing good football and getting results with a very young team. It'd be brilliant if that continues and we finish in the play-offs, when our original objective was to survive.

"Ernie is doing a wonderful job and it's very pleasing to see, because he was ready to leave in May."

Razzak added: "The background changes that have taken place have really impressed me, and it is all thanks to the new board.

"They are committed people who care and want to run the club properly. That type of enthusiasm and support was something I needed to see before I decided I would stay involved."

Razzak's joy at the club's revival this season is understandable after the morale-sapping years of struggle when Town plunged into the massive debts that almost resulted in administration.

The extent of the well-documented troubles, which came to a head two years ago when various winding up orders were issued by the High Court, almost saw Razzak sever his Town ties, such was the weight of expectation on his money to bail out the club.

But thanks to the investment of a consortium led by now-chairman David Hunt, a rescue package was put together between the two parties, and the £45,000 CVA settlement the club agreed with its major creditors is now paid.

Razzak (pictured above) said: "We had to sort all of our financial problems, and that has been achieved. It was difficult, but we've put those behind us now, although we still need to keep a tight rein and get more investment."

Because of the limited budget Howe works with, Town's third-place position in the Nationwide South has been unexpected, and all affiliated to the club are hoping such lofty heights can be maintained.

As the demands on his small squad increase, Howe has been searching hard to bring in the new faces he believes will help secure the targeted play-off place.

When asked if there would be the financial backing to support a push for the play-offs - through the acquisition of fresh blood - if Town continue to stay at the top, Razzak smiled before saying: "Back in the beginning of the year when we made our business plans, we said that, by this time, if we haven't got the financial side sorted, we would have to ask Ernie to shed players.

"The fact we are saying to him 'Go and get two players on loan' is testament to how things have changed.

"That's not because I have put more money in. It's all thanks to the directors, who have worked hard to get the new sponsors, and still are.

"You can see that effort with the number of sponsors' signs around the ground. It's great to see and I hope we can continue to improve sponsorship - we need it.

"I am pleased to see the changes that have been taking place."

The first match that Razzak saw this season was the recent 2-0 triumph over Hornchurch, and it was an afternoon that left its mark.

He said: "When I visited the dressing room, the morale of the players was tremendous. It was wholly different from last year and goes to show how positive the club spirit is at the moment."

That buoyant attitude took a dent on Monday with the 1-0 home defeat to Maidenhead, but Howe is sure his team will bounce back tomorrow in the return fixture.

The 51-year-old boss said: "It's imperative that we win the next game and improve our record away from home.

"Losing on Monday was a missed opportunity. It showed us we still need to add to the side.

"The lads haven't done badly, but we need to boost the squad at some point soon if we're not to fall away outside the top five."