Patterson's set to trim the numbers

BRAINTREE Town manager Lee Patterson will be giving both good and bad news to players by this weekend - whether they are staying or not at Cressing Road this season.

The Iron boss has many players on trial but knows that he now has to trim back the numbers to keep within his budget for the coming Blue Square South season.

“There'll be some hard decisions to make but it has to be done,” he explained.

“The main consideration is whether any of the trialists are better than what we already have at the club.”

Amongst those who have featured in friendly matches have been Kevin Horlock, the 36-year-old former Ipswich Town and West Ham United utility player who was at Scunthorpe United last season, ex-Colchester United midfielder Ben Bowditch and former Conference level player John Docker.

Patterson was having a last look at some of those players last night (Wednesday) when they took on FA Trophy holders Ebbsfleet United at Cressing Road.

On Saturday the Iron go to Ridgeons League side Great Yarmouth for their next friendly.