Bristol Manor Farm have said this season's first-team budget exceeded last season's, and that most of the debt built up last year has been cleared. The directors issued a statement after what they described as significant speculation over the club's finances.
They said a greater proportion of the budget was committed in the opening phase of the campaign. "Regrettably, the results on the pitch have not reflected the level of investment, commitment, or ambition behind those decisions," the statement said. The directors added that they are "not where we hoped to be by this point in the season".
On last year's finances, the directors said financial controls were not in place when they arrived, so the budget had "absolutely no revenue support behind it". That left the club with a significant amount of debt and, in their words, "on the brink of collapse". They said the majority of that debt has since been cleared and the club is in a considerably stronger position, though significant challenges remain.
The directors also pointed to growth off the pitch. The club has gone from a first team and an U18 side to also supporting a women's team, U16s and a wider youth structure. They said work is under way to develop The Creek Community Stadium into a venue used throughout the week, because a club of their size cannot rely solely on matchday income. Supporters were encouraged to use the facilities, attend events, hold private functions and back sponsorship initiatives.