AMID all the gloom and disappointment over the outcome of this season, one that we looked forward to with so much anticipation, preparations still have to be made to ensure that we give ourselves every opportunity to bounce back into League 1 next season.

The need to maintain decent support levels has been uppermost in our minds.

At last week’s board meeting, we took the steps of reducing season ticket prices.

We think they represent good value for money; we think, in particular, with the Junior Bulls and youngsters, there is an opportunity to encourage their attendance at matches thus securing fans for the future of the club.

And we have frozen match-day prices.

We did take the step of taking £1 off admission prices in the middle of the season when the government reduced VAT from 17.5% to 15%.

Although that actual amount got nowhere near the £1 reduction, we just felt that it was appropriate at that time.

We understand that reduction is in for 12 months so it will finish around Christmas-time.

The steps that we have taken obviously sees us losing some money from gate receipts.

We have to take into consideration, with the recession on, the number of companies that are struggling or indeed have gone out of business totally.

Companies may be reluctant to take out sponsorship, advertising boards or programme adverts and therefore the prices have been looked at closely.

Again, where we feel the need to reduce costs to businesses, that will also be put in place.

There have been moves by the Football League to introduce salary-capping throughout all three divisions. But that so far has not materialised.

However, in League 2 there is a salary cap for playing squads of 55% of turnover.

So in the next week or so, we shall be sitting down to assess our budget for next season.

Our estimated turnover will have to take into account the loss of some central funding, although that will not be massively substantial. In terms of the central funding that goes to League clubs, 80% goes to Championship clubs, 12% goes to League 1 clubs and 8% goes to League 2 clubs.

Overall there will be a reduction in our turnover and so we will have to assess closely the number of players that we can bring in to fill the squad and how much we can afford to pay them.

We do not want to be in League 2 to make up the numbers and want to give ourselves every opportunity of success again.

Having tasted it and enjoyed it, there’s no reason why we cannot pull everything together again and start next season with fresh energy and enthusiasm.