Last updated 11:36, Friday, 02 May 2008

IF Haven finish this season with an NL1 mid-table slot and a bank manager with a smile on his face, the club will have shown itself capable of giving Lazarus a run for his money in the recuperative stakes.

Action man: Star forward Richard Fletcher, one of Haven’s highest earners, has had to leave the club

It emerged this week that if the West Cumbria Development Fund had not come up with a £75,000 loan just weeks ago, the administrators would have been called in to the Recre.

Given the seriousness of the situation, it is remarkable that today, the club is in the black.

Operating losses totalling almost £220,000 for 2006 and last year threatened to plunge it in to administration.

In a congested League One table, that would almost certainly have led to relegation, as the club would have faced a nine-point RFL penalty.

Such a move would have demoralised players – those that the administrator had not offloaded – and home attendances would have plunged.

As I’ve stressed in the past, there should be no scapegoats over the club’s financial plight.

The former board, chaired by Des Byrne, who were in charge when the losses are accrued, had the best of motives.

One major problem the old board faced was increased expectations after Haven reached consecutive NL1 Grand Finals in 2004 and 05.

In 2005, the club’s entire salary bill, the bulk of which comprised players’ wages, was £413,000. For 2006 it leapt to £534,000 and jumped another £21,000 last year.

All through this period, playing standards rocketed throughout League One. Income was also suffering as the club lottery was in decline.

A donation of £60,000 from main sponsor Washington, destined for ground improvements, was swallowed up, it now emerges.

Given the dire situation, the new board under chairman Gordon Grace, have done a remarkable job in turning it around.

There has been criticism in some quarters over allowing leading players Richard Fletcher and John Duffy to leave the club.

But directors had no choice. They were two of the biggest earners, on contracts signed before the current board took over, and they were simply unaffordable.

Some say, lesser lights should instead have been jettisoned, but such players, who tend to be local-born, are on less money, and at any rate, have contracts that must be honoured.

Haven are back in the black, but no one at the Recreation Ground is popping champagne corks just yet.

The financial projections for the season, on which budgets are based, understandably had crowds much higher than their current level around the 1,200 mark.

If attendances continue at that mark, the club will be about seven grand per home game down on what had been projected this season.

Over a season, it adds up to a major sum. A shortfall of £50,000 is expected, which might just be manageable, though a brighter story may yet emerge.

The club is trying to revive its lottery, hunt for fresh sponsors and boost attendances.

To increase home gates, the team must continue its revival under new coach Ged Stokes.

The initial signs are highly-promising. The new board are playing their part in keeping the club afloat. The players must do the same.

A home win over Leigh on Monday would be a good start.