Kerley in the dark over Athlone Town plans

ATHLONE Town FC is no closer to finalising its playing budget for the 2012 League of Ireland season - despite recent speculation they could be aided by major funding from an unnamed local investor. Recently, a local investor - who has requested to remain anonymous - made a stunning contribution of over half a million euro to pay off the remaining debt of Athlone Town Stadium Ltd. Following that move, initial speculation was that the same investor was open to the possibility of contributing funds towards the playing side of the club. But with last season's manager, Mike Kerley, remaining in the dark about the future plans of the club, and being currently out of contract - along with all playing staff from last season - it appears news of investment on the playing side of the club is far from imminent. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent this week, club treasurer, John Comber, said the club has not yet arranged for a meeting with the investor, but hope to be in a position to do so within a fortnight. Mr Comber said the club need to discuss "future club policy" with the potential investor, and said club officials are anxious to know its playing budget well before the end of the year. However, Mr Comber said he was reluctant to comment any further on the possibility of investment coming into the club. Meanwhile, last season's manager Mike Kerley this week stressed he's still keen to take charge of the club for the 2012 season, but said he's in the dark as to the club's future plans. "I've been speaking with the chairman (Tony Knight) since the end of the season. Our last conversation was during last week. But at the moment I'm not too sure what's going to happen with the club," said Kerley, who guided Athlone to a reasonable eighth placed finish in the 2011 First Division season while working with a very restricted playing budget. Kerley said he thought Athlone Town would have met with any potential investor by this stage, and warned the club is in danger of losing out on potential new signings, and on retaining the services of many of last season's squad, if they don't act quickly. "Look, I've told the chairman I want to remain with Athlone, but as things stand I'm no longer the manager," said Kerley. "That makes it impossible to approach out of contract players, or speak to last season's players with any sense of clarity. I've been given no indication how long the club intend to take before deciding on playing budgets, but I do want to be the club's manager next season. I felt we made some good progress last season. We got a lot of young players in the side, and I'd hate to see them lads fall away from the scene. I know the club needs to explore the option (of possible new investment), and I suppose a lot's going to depend on whether this backer wants to invest in the team, but my hands are tied at the moment. I'd like the club to clarify its intentions sooner rather than later," Kerley added. Kerley highlighted the case of Des Hope, a former Athlone Town captain, who recently committed to a further season with Longford Town. Kerley said Hope would've been one of his potential transfer targets for 2012, while if re-appointed, he could also be tempted to move for former Athlone pair Garvan Broughall and Brian McCarthy, who are free agents after leaving Limerick. "Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to do anything regarding players because I'm not the Athlone manager at the moment," said Kerley.