MANAGER Simon Browne admits he is braced for departures with Wimborne Town still in limbo over their axed playing budget.

New chairperson Paula Henley announced seven days ago that the club’s £1,250 per-week provision for players and management would have to be scrapped within a fortnight to balance the books.

Since then an array of fundraising initiatives have been set up, including an account specifically to fund the wage bill for the rest of the season.

Browne confirmed none of his players had quit the ailing Magpies yet but warned it would be a matter of time should the cash dry up as planned.

“I don’t think anyone has pinned their colours to the mast yet,” said Browne. “Nobody wants to go down the route of not getting paid but the players realise it is a distinct possibility.

“There is a separate account for anyone wishing to contribute to a players’ fund. I need to find out exactly what’s in there and go from there.

“I think Paula is still hoping for someone to come out of the woodwork to make things a bit easier on that front but at the moment, nothing concrete has come to light.

“Nobody has said they will definitely have to go, just that they will review it after the two weeks.

“I think they’re all just waiting to see whether it gets to that point before making any decisions but I am acutely aware that some of them will have to look elsewhere.

“For some, the money they get forms an important part of their weekly earnings. Some of them could work on a Saturday but choose not to.

“Without the money, they may have to go to work or play somewhere they do get paid.

“I almost want to stick my head in the sand, wait and deal with it if and when it happens but I cannot be complacent about it.”

On the back of recent events, Wimborne attracted a bumper crowd of 331 but lost out 2-0 to promotion-chasing Banbury United in Southern South & West.

“We were beaten by the better side,” added Browne. “I would say that was most people’s assessment.

“It was a bit frustrating with regard to all the off-field stuff, I was hoping the lads might have done something with the occasion and having another 100 or so people through the turnstiles.

“We missed James Stokoe, Billy Maybury and Louis Kellaway more than I had anticipated and had two or three shots during the 90 minutes. You’re always likely to struggle if that’s the case.”

Goalkeeper Shane Murphy went to hospital with a suspected broken wrist but X-rays provided the all clear on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, Browne’s squad will be boosted by the return of defender Tom Biles.

“He was at the game and said he could help out if we wanted him,” said Browne. “He doesn’t want any money so that’s a timely boost for us.”

Magpies: Murphy, Randall, Murray, Arnold, Old (Lupton, 86), Blake, Haitham (Waters, 68), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joseph-Buadi, Ford, Preston. Unused subs: O’Hare, Johnson, Turner.