Craig Elliott against idea of Boston United players joining National League clubs on loan

Pilgrims boss wants to concentrate on keeping core of team together after null and void decision...
Elliott wants to keep his United squad together. Photo: Oliver Atkin.Elliott wants to keep his United squad together. Photo: Oliver Atkin.
Elliott wants to keep his United squad together. Photo: Oliver Atkin.

Craig Elliott is against the idea of his Boston United players joining National League clubs on loan for the remainder of the season.

Instead, the Pilgrims boss wants to concentrate his efforts on keeping the core of his squad together for when they can resume action.

Some step two clubs began recruiting players from lower divisions when their season was postponed due to lockdown. And it is expected some clubs in non-league's top tier could try the same trick in the coming weeks.

But Elliott doesn't want his players having their heads turned or picking up injuries.

"It's not something I want to entertain," he told The Standard.

"I get that players want to play but I don't want to lose players as that's what'd happen, let's be honest about it.

"There's a lot of things to talk about but I - and I'm sure the club as well - want to keep the majority of the squad together.

"There's a lot of good players in the North and South who could easily play the league above, or probably in League Two to be honest.

"I'm sure there will be people making a move on players. But it's not something i want to be promoting."

Despite the Pilgrims being one of 18 teams who are campaigning against the North and South divisions being declared null and void, United's season is, at present, over.

However, Elliott doesn't want to waste a minute and is determined not to let the squad he has built up disband without fulfilling their potential.

"You can't bury your head in the sand," he added.

"My main move is to secure players for next year. There are still teams who want to play on and I'm not sure how this will play out at the moment.

"From a selfish point of view a lot of hard work has gone on to get us to a position where, in my heart and in my head, I knew we had a chance this year.

"Maybe in the past few years you felt you might come up short or you were short in certain areas, but I genuinely knew in pre-season I had a squad that stood a chance, there's no doubt about that.

"They're a great bunch off the pitch as well, that's why i felt we had a really good chance. They're good on the pitch and they've bonded off it.

"There was a good chemistry in the team and I really enjoy working with them."I hope we can stick together. We know what football's like, things change and I'm not naive. We have to see how things play out."

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