CHESHAM have been dealt a cash blow with the news that former defender Fitz Hall has signed a new contract which will keep him at Oldham until 2005.

The Meadow Men were hoping that the 21-year-old defender would be transferred to a Premiership club in a £2million move during the transfer window, giving Chesham £200,000 as a ten per cent share of any future transfers.

But the deal looks increasingly unlikely, with Chesham now having to look elsewhere for funding to refurbish their clubhouse.

Chairman Phil Morgan, who has been underwriting the debts, is reviewing his position at the club on a week-by-week basis. He sees the clubhouse as the best revenue earner. But the roof is leaking and the place needs redeveloping in order to attract bookings.

The cash-strapped club had to release joint-top scorer Darran Hay last week due to the financial pressures, meaning both of the Generals' top scorers have left, with Tresor Kandol leaving two months ago.

And they were hit by the postponement of the Grays match on Tuesday.

The game was called off after heavy rain on Tuesday, leaving Chesham having to pay the costs of putting on a game without receiving any revenue.

Boss Colin Lippiatt was disappointed. He was looking to build up a head of steam after two successive league wins.

He said: "It would have been a good game. Grays are just beginning to establish themselves and we wanted to carry on the momentum."

Lippiatt was also keen to keep a gap between Chesham and clubs that could get sucked into a relegation dogfight.

He said: "Grays are in that little cluster, as well as Bishop's Stortford Chesham's next opponents. It's very important that the little cluster round us don't beat us.

"It would be wonderful to get the three points but we need to get into the position where we don't get beaten and maintain the gap."

And Lippiatt is looking for a good performance tomorrow against Bishop's Stortford at home, buoyed by new signing Gary Abbott.

The 37-year-old former Aldershot player, who made his debut in the Generals' 2-1 win at Braintree, scored in the fourth minute, could have had another and set up the winner for Andr Scarlett.

Lippiatt said: "I had a call from him on the Friday. I know him quite well, took a chance and signed him on a non-contract."

January 24, 2003 11:30