Drogheda United manager Damien Richardson has admitted that the club is experiencing 'dark and desperate' days with budgetary restrictions leaving his squad in limbo about their future.

Richardson opened up on his concerns about the club's direction when appearing on local radio station LMFM to respond to speculation that new chairman Ben Clarke had stepped down.

The veteran manager said he was in the dark but asserted that the Boynesiders needed strong leadership from the top to counter money troubles.

Richardson indicated that he might have to consider his own position if the situation fails to improve over the next week.

He has already lost key man Gavan Holohan to Cork and has been unable to make moves on retaining important players because of ongoing uncertainty. He has been told he will be working off a small budget.

"I don't want to walk away from the club in the state that it's in," he said. "But the uncertainty around the place is making me worried."

LEADERSHIP

"These are dark and desperate days that must be overcome. We need somebody come into the football club and show leadership. We need it now more than any other time in our history."

Drogheda's local rivals Dundalk are enjoying happier times and the league winners' top scorer Pat Hoban was yesterday named SSE Airtricity/SWAI player of the month for October.

Hoban confirmed that he has rejected the opportunity to go to Kilmarnock on trial because he found the offer disrespectful.

"I don't see why I should have to go on trial," said the Galwegian. "I have proved myself in two years in the league.

"For some reason the league doesn't get enough credit - I don't know why as we have done very well in Europe this year and I think the standard is quite high.

"I would go on trial obviously if it was a Championship or Premier League club. Who would refuse that? But when it is League One, League Two, SPL, no disrespect but I don't see why I should have to go on trial if they had done their homework.

"I think we would beat most teams in League One in England and most teams in the SPL as well, so we should be getting a lot more credit than we are at the moment."

The 23-year-old confirmed that he would ply his trade with Dundalk again next term if no suitable offer from across the water emerged.

"Stephen (Kenny) is not putting that much pressure on me. Obviously he wants me to stay but it has to be the right move for me at the end of the day as I'm not getting any younger."

Indo Sport