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ROCHDALE Hornets' Chairman Ray Taylor has made assurances that the club's players will be paid money that they are owed - after a payment had to be delayed for two weeks.

Hornets' playing staff were due to be paid on October 16th, but have been told the payment will not be forthcoming until the end of the month.

But Taylor insists the contracts will be honoured. "We are as upset as anyone else, but we just haven't been able to bridge the gap this month," Taylor said.

"It's obviously disappointing that we've got to the end of a long, hard season and the gate receipts haven't allowed us to pay the players. We haven't missed a payment to them all year, and we've just stumbled at the final hurdle.

"We bridged the gap in previous months, and we'll bridge it again. It will be sorted out."
The directors have called a meeting of their shareholders for Thursday October 30th, where they will "put everybody in the picture" about their financial position, according to Taylor.

Hornets are still in negotiations with the local council about possible financial help, and are due to raise several further suggestions in front of their shareholders.

But interest in their successful playing squad is already hotting up in NL1, with neighbours Oldham being linked with a move for former Salford duo lan Watson and Paul Southern, and uncertainty surrounds the future of NL1 Coach of the Year Martin Hall.

"Martin Hall was a big reason I came to the club in the first place, and I know the same is true for many of the lads," said Watson. "Some of us turned down bigger offers to play for him."