COLNE chairman Ryan Haigh has given his manager Steve Cunningham a huge vote of confidence after battling to keep the club alive.

Colne were in danger of folding when long time sponsors XLCR ended a lucrative sponsorship deal, plunging last season’s Evo-Stik North play-off finalists into a financial crisis.

“When I looked at the books towards the end of last season I wondered whether we’d make it to the end, never mind this season,” said Haigh, who took charge as chairman last summer.

“The club was in a financial mess, and it’s a humbling fact that many of the unpaid volunteers put up their own money, as I did, paying the players expenses and funding other costs after the huge blow of losing our main sponsor.

“The club was running on past expectations, and we had to put it back on an even keel.”

He added: “We live to fight another day – and we’ll come out of this stronger for the future.”

Cunningham guided Colne to the play-offs a year after winning promotion from the North West Counties League, but they have struggled this term with several of last season’s squad having moved on.

Colne go to Ramsbottom on Saturday sitting just above the drop zone, although last weekend’s victory over Prescot Cables eased some of the growing pressure.

“There’s been all sorts of rumours and talk, with some claiming the manager was hanging on to his job by the skin of his teeth, but Steve Cunningham’s position was never debated,” the chairman told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“Why would we want to debate the position of one of the brightest managers in non-league, and a guy who has brought so much success to Colne since he took charge.

“Every club enjoys a period of success and we are lucky that since Steve’s arrival that we’ve had our fair share, but in that period we have overachieved.

“Steve lives, breaths and sleeps Colne FC and and, like the club, he will come through this.”

The emphasis, said the chairman, would be on nurturing local talent in the future and enjoying stronger links with the community.

“Because of the financial situation, we were always going to see a big overhaul at the club this season,” he said.

“I can’t deny the speed and number of changes may have divided opinion but these things had to happen to safeguard Colne’s future.

“We will be concentrating more on youth and the junior section, bringing players through that way.

“Colne FC has to work in the community for the community.

“I want to make the club self-sufficient, and that’s the way we can progress on and off the field.

“We want to be, need to be, master of our destiny.”

The Reds are on the road at neighbours Ramsbottom United tomorrow looking for a second straight league win.

But they face a tough task against Mark Fell's side who have won six of their seven matches at the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium so far this term and begin the weekend in the play-off places.

Elsewhere, Clitheroe are away at Prescot Cables targeting a third straight success in all competitions.