Workington Town coach Gary Charlton has been talking of the frustrations of trying to compete on what is increasingly looking unlike a level playing field.

Charlton, who takes the team to Featherstone Rovers in the Carnegie Challenge Cup tomorrow, has expressed concerns over what is happening in Co-operative Championship One.

“There is supposed to be a salary cap in place but you look round at some of the gates certain clubs are getting, and the number of players they are snapping-up, and you wonder what’s going on.

“It seems to be a case of clubs going all out to win promotion to the Championship and if they don’t get there the Rugby League will be left to pick up the pieces.

“Martin and I had three good players lined-up to come in but weren’t able to do so because of the financial aspect as Town are trying to do things right and not spend money they haven’t got.

“We know that if we are able to bring in new players into the squad they will be local amateurs,” said Charlton.

Town insist that they will live within the budgets and won’t risk the long-term future of the club by spending beyond their means.

Chairman Dave Bowden said: “We need to get more people through the turnstiles. There were less than 300 against Swinton and less than 800 for a derby game with Whitehaven.

“Hopefully that performance against Haven will have encouraged fans to come back and give us something to build on.

“We need better crowds because we are not going to spend above our budget so that new players are out of the question for the moment.”

A run in the Carnegie Challenge Cup would be a godsend but Town have a tough tie in prospect tomorrow when they travel to Championship side Featherstone (3pm).

Rovers rested nine players on Thursday when they slaughtered Hunslet Hawks 68-0 in the Northern Rail Cup at the South Leeds Stadium.

“It’s going to be a big ask for our players, especially when we’re putting in lads who haven’t had a lot of field time so far.
“But from our point of view we will be looking for them to step up to the plate and show what they can do, by trying to earn themselves a regular place.

 “Just because they didn’t play last week or have had limited match experience so far it doesn’t mean they are out of the picture,” said Charlton.
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