MANAGER Ian Long says he may be forced to walk away from Tividale if the club fails to match his ambition.

Long has been left frustrated after being told he will not find out next season's budget until after the club committee meets on May 7, a decision he says prevents him from planning for the new campaign.

His discontent comes just days after Tivi staved off the threat of forced relegation by winning their ground grading battle to keep them in the Northern Premier League Division One South.

He said: "I'm not being given a chance. The club have tied my hands and puts us up to a month behind some others in this division.

"Some managers found out their budgets a fortnight ago and I'm still having to wait around.

"I can't speak to the players we currently have about what expenses we an offer them for next season and I can't approach new targets.

"I have asked them to bring it forwards but they just said that this is the way it has always been done. In that case, it has always been wrong.

"The players I want will now be talking to other clubs.

"It is a lower league mentality and it has got to the point where I may be forced to resign.

"It is very frustrating because I think we are three or four players away from making the play-offs. If I could strengthen in the final third of the pitch, as well as keeping this group together, then I think we could really achieve something."

Club secretary Leon Murray defended the club's policy. He said: "We have always done it this way and he (Long) knows that.

"No player can sign until June 1 and there is still a lot to be decided. Some teams don't know what division they will be in yet and still have play-offs to go through.

"We are not just a football club but a social club as well. We need to decide the budget for everything, not just the team.

"This is in no way a reflection on our ambition. We have never cut a budget once it has been decided.

"If he have no ambition, why did we fight the ground inspection? Why did we work so hard to get where we are?"

The club's appeal against an initial inspection report, which stated The Beeches was not up to scratch, was upheld last Friday.

Tivi were facing demotion from the Northern Premier League Division One South after an inspection team deemed their ground didn't meet grade D status.

However, following the club's appeal to the Football Association, an independent inspection took place and found in the club's favour.

Meanwhile, Tivi lost their last league game of the season at home to Market Drayton last Saturday.

The 1-0 defeat resulted in Long having to remind his players that their campaign is far from over.

They will take on Alvechurch at Castlecroft Stadium tomorrow night looking for a place in the final of the JW Hunt Cup, a competition they won last year.

Long added: "The season isn't over yet and the players must play for their place in the final should we get there.

"Saturday wasn't good enough and they must now bounce back, especially as we have the chance of winning some silverware."