Pic: Shane Healey
DEAN KEATES reckons Wrexham will still be able to attract players in the summer despite competing with much bigger budgets.
Keates, who replaced Gary Mills at the Racecourse in October, is already looking towards next season with the Dragons comfortably mid-table.
The supporter-owned club know they won’t have the resources to compete financially with some of their National League rivals next term.
They recently started a ‘Build the Budget’ fund to allow fans to chip in and give Keates a boost in his summer recruitment.
While Keates knows finances do play a part in players’ decisions, he is hopeful the pull of playing for a well supported club – Wrexham having the third highest attendances in the league – will allow him to build a competitive squad.
“If we’re up against Tranmere or Forest Green it might come down to finances with players,” he told the BBC. “You’re going to be competing and we can’t match them money wise.
“But we have a big football club with passionate support. We can encourage players to come here by the fact we can offer an unbelievable stadium to play in.
“The size of this football club it shouldn’t be sat in mid-table. I know what the expectations are and what the fans want.”
