Talented striker Jamie Jackson has become the latest player to leave Spalding United after agreeing a move to higher-graded Matlock Town.
Boss Chris Rawlinson admits that the striker, who has been one of the Tulips’ brighter players this season, won’t be replaced by a player from outside of the club due to the recent – and well-documented – budget cuts.
Jackson’s highlight in a Spalding shirt came when he notched a memorable hat-trick in a 3-0 home victory over Sheffield FC on October 14. He also got the winner in the 2-1 triumph at Romulus the following weekend – which was the last game the Tulips won.
“We wish Jamie well,” said Rawlinson. “He’s moving back to the level he should be playing at.
“He has a long way to travel to play for us and can’t currently drive, so to go to a team on his doorstep also makes sense.
“We’re not under a transfer embargo or anything, but it’s fair to say I’ll not be looking to replace him. We’ve got some talented young strikers, like Jonny Lockie for example, so we’ll be giving them a go.”
As well as Jackson, Rawlinson must also do without the suspended Lee Beeson and Jack Fixter for Saturday’s home game against second-placed Alvechurch (3pm).
Defender Neal Spafford and midfielder Conor Marshall should return though – and Rawlinson is feeling positive after being encouraged by the Tulips’ showing in the 2-1 loss at Belper Town last Saturday.
The Spalding supremo hopes that his positive mood will be matched by the fans on Saturday, with a pretty young line-up expected at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
“To be fair to the lads, I saw a lot of fight and desire at Belper,” added Rawlinson. “That made me feel that the off-the-field problems we’ve had are no longer an issue for the lads.
“It was much-improved and great to see the lads fighting for each other.
“What we need at the moment is a bit of luck. It’s not going to be pretty over the winter, but we aim to be effective. The club could easily have given up and started again when it opted to cut the budget. But instead of that, we’re trying to offer the highest possible standard of football for the fans to come and see.
“Hopefully they’ll stay positive and get behind the lads – we’ll have a lot of youngsters out on the field.”
Second-placed Alvechurch are ten points ahead of the 14th-placed Tulips in the table and have won their last four games in all competitions, including three in Evo-Stik NPL First Division South.
Spalding, meanwhile, have lost their last five games by the same 2-1 scoreline.
