SOUTHERN LEAGUE: Marine make Taylor offer (From Swindon Advertiser)

SOUTHERN LEAGUE: Marine make Taylor offer

6:00am Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in Sport By Ned Payne

SUPERMARINE have made Chris Taylor an improved wage offer as they aim to fend off interest from Oxford and Hungerford for the midfielder’s signature.

The former Maidenhead man has held talks with both of Marine’s local rivals - who boast substantially bigger budgets than the Wiltshire side - and now must decide whether to make a switch or stay at the Webb’s Wood Stadium.

Marine boss Dave Webb admits Taylor will earn more money if he decides to leave, but is hopeful that the 27-year-old will stay on.

“We’ve made Chris an offer, but it’s not an offer that’s as much as the other clubs have made him,” said Webb.

“There’s not a lot we can do if a club comes in and is willing to pay a lot more money than we can to one of our players. Unfortunately we can’t compete with the two clubs in terms of budget.

“It’s about trying to find a resolution to see if we can keep him, but it’s difficult bearing in mind where the club is. We have to be realistic.

“We’d like a much bigger budget and we’d like to give not just two, three or four players a bigger wage, but everyone.

“Ultimately we’re trying to build a team that potential could get out of this league whether it be this season, next season or after that and people like Chris will be valuable to us.”

Webb’s men are scheduled to travel to Shortwood tonight in Division One South & West, but as the cold weather continues, the manager fears the match will not go ahead.

Marine have only played six games since the beginning of December and Webb said: “We'd love to get that on and start playing again, but I can't see it being on.

“Shortwood are based at Nailsworth which is quite a high point so they normally get hit by the weather.”

Asked if the Southern League should consider extending the season to allow clubs to squeeze their games in, Webb was positive it wouldn't be necessary.

“It depends how long this weather lasts, hopefully not,” he said.

“I can't see them doing it, I don't think they even did it in the Hellenic in the past when they really should have done.

“We'll have to wait and see, but hopefully we'll catch up and get the games in.

“If we start playing well it might suit us to be playing Saturday-midweek, but we just don't want to be playing four games a week.

“We haven't fallen any further behind (because Saturday saw a complete whiteout in the Southern League) but it's a massive concern now. I think we'll have midweek games right through March and April.”

Elsewhere, Cirencester are due to take on an Army side in a charity friendly at the Corinium tonight, while lower down the ladder Fairford’s originally-scheduled Floodlit Cup quarter-final with Marlow has been postponed.