WINSFORD United chairman Terry Savage wants his critics to work with him and the board to revive the club rather than undermine it.

Savage is remaining unruffled by reports and rumours that supporters and shareholders are trying to oust him from the Barton Stadium seat, with the message "assist us rather than work against us."

He also doesn't feel United's lowly position should suffer a "knee-jerk reaction" with wholesale changes.

Savage said: "There's a small group of people trying to undermine the club and as far as I'm concerned it doesn't distract us from what we're trying to achieve. I'm just sorry they can't assist rather than work against us.

"They have a right to be concerned and a right to express views, but from the board's point of view we have a five-year plan and that's to improve the stadium so if we can go up we will. And we want to retain Premier status.

"There are a lot of frustrations, because no matter what people think the directors want to win and if that was happening it would be a lot easier.

"But there's no point having a knee-jerk reaction. We have to keep our heads although it is very difficult.

"It must be remembered that we're still not getting people through the gate. Last season we were top and played Gainsborough, who were fourth, in the FA Trophy, and only 118 turned up. So results don't seem to make much difference."

Manager Kevin Tully's latest signing is striker Gareth Chadwick, from Crewe, who made his debut in the 2-0 defeat at Gateshead on Saturday.

The wave of new signings has calmed down week by week as the Winsford manager gets closer to settling on a side that can bring United away from the foot of the UniBond Premier table.

Following last night's visit to Runcorn, Blues are at home to Worksop Town on Saturday (3pm).

The potential six-pointer against struggling Barrow has been brought forward to Friday, November 12, to avoid a clash with the first leg of England's Euro 2000 play-off decider against Scotland.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.