BASHLEY boss Frank Gray admits his pre-season plans are in limbo, with the New Forest club unable to confirm their playing budget for 2013-14.

Gray expects out-of-contract striker James Stokoe to join Wimborne Town while the former Basingstoke, Woking and Grays Athletic manager cannot yet offer terms to the rest of his squad.

The uncertainty follows the news that Bashley’s potential alliance with New Milton Town, a move that would have seen one club play at Linnets’ Fawcett’s Field home, has fallen through and that Bash chairman Richard Millbery will be stepping down this summer.

Millbery has confirmed he will remain in charge until the club’s AGM, expected to take place in early July, but he could give no definite answer on whether Gray’s funds would be affected until his replacement is found.

And while Gray, who guided Bash to Southern League Premier Division safety following a testing first season in charge, says he is dedicated to the Bashley Road outfit, he reiterated the need for answers sooner rather than later.

Gray told the Daily Echo: “At the moment, I am committed to the club, but there are a few things to be resolved.

“You really need to have a playing budget in place and one of the issues we have at the moment is that we can’t discuss terms with players.

“The only real disadvantage at this stage of the season is not being able to negotiate with your contracted players but it is not an ideal situation to be in.

“We are up in the air at the moment.

“We half expected to lose James (Stokoe) because he said he wasn’t enjoying his football. He enjoyed a good spell at Wimborne before and he has decided he wants to go back there.

“Hopefully, we won’t lose any more players, but the situation at the club needs to be clarified as to what funds are available. I can’t and won’t promise players something if the money is not there and the players aren’t going to hang around forever.

“People at the club are working very hard behind the scenes in difficult circumstances and they are waiting on potential sponsors and investors in order to put things in place.

“It is partly out of their hands as well and I think everyone wants it resolved so that we can move forward.”

Millbery said the club was no closer to finding his replacement but that the executive committee would be meeting this week.